Question

these multicellular plants all have something in common, other than being autotrophic. unlike moss and liverworts, they can grow to great heights and survive in diverse environments. this is because there is a system for intercellular communication, that moves substances throughout the plant; water and nutrients up from the ground and glucose from photosynthetic tissue to all parts of the plant.
what is responsible for this intercellular interaction in higher plants?
a hormones
b plasmodesmata
c xylem and phloem
d meristematic cells

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Hormones regulate plant growth/development, not substance transport. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Plasmodesmata are for cell - to - cell communication in plants, not long - distance substance transport. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Xylem transports water and nutrients from roots to other parts, phloem transports glucose (from photosynthesis) to all plant parts. This matches the described system for intercellular interaction (substance movement) in higher plants.
• Option D: Meristematic cells are for plant growth (cell division), not substance transport. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. xylem and phloem