The correct answer is option 2: Xylem. Xylem is a specialized tissue in plants that is responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It is made up of long tubes called vessels, which are connected end to end to form a continuous pathway. Xylem vessels are dead cells and their main function is to provide structural support to the plant while facilitating the movement of water. The transport of water in xylem occurs through a process called transpiration, where water is transported upward in the plant against gravity. This process is driven by the loss of water through tiny openings called stomata present on the leaves. These openings create a gradient that pulls water from the roots up through the xylem vessels.