What structure in plants is responsible for transporting water?

The xylem is the structure in plants that is specifically designed to transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. This process is crucial for maintaining the plant's hydration and facilitating photosynthesis and nutrient transport. Xylem cells are adapted to form long tubes that allow water to move upward efficiently, even against the force of gravity, through a combination of root pressure and capillary action.

In contrast, phloem is responsible for transporting the products of photosynthesis, such as sugars, from the leaves to other parts of the plant. Stomata are small openings on the leaves that allow for gas exchange, supporting respiration and photosynthesis but are not involved in water transport. Chloroplasts are organelles where photosynthesis occurs, converting sunlight into energy, but they do not play a role in the movement of water within the plant. Thus, xylem is the key structure for water transport in plants.