What is one characteristic of vascular tissue?

Vascular tissue is a type of plant tissue that is crucial for the transport of water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant. It includes two main components: xylem and phloem. Xylem is responsible for transporting water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem carries the sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

This characteristic is essential for plant life as it allows for the efficient distribution of necessary substances, enabling growth and survival in varying environments. Without vascular tissue, plants would struggle to maintain their structure and functionality because they would be unable to effectively move the vital resources they need for energy production and overall health.

The other options describe functions or characteristics that are not directly related to vascular tissue. Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, typically within leaf tissues, and is not a function of vascular tissues. Meristematic cells are found in areas of growth and are responsible for generating new cells but are not specific to vascular tissue. Insulation for plants is more related to structures such as cork and other protective layers rather than the transport functions of vascular tissues.