Vascular Bundle (Veins) - GCSE Biology Definition

A vascular bundle, also known as 'veins' in plants, is a grouping of tubes that transport important substances throughout a plant. These bundles contain xylem and phloem vessels. The xylem carries water and mineral ions from the roots up to the leaves, providing essential materials for photosynthesis. The phloem, on the other hand, moves sugars and other dissolved substances produced in the leaves to different parts of the plant for energy and growth. Vascular bundles also help support the plant structurally and are essential for its survival, acting like the plant’s transport system. In leaves, they form a network that you can often see as the veins.