The correct answer is option 1 - Xylem. Xylem is the plant tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It is made up of specialized cells called xylem vessels, which form a network of interconnected tubes. These vessels allow water to move upwards against gravity through a process known as transpiration. Transpiration occurs when water is evaporated from the leaves through small openings called stomata. The loss of water through transpiration creates a negative pressure, or tension, which pulls water up through the xylem vessels. This process, known as the cohesion-tension theory, enables plants to transport water from the roots to the leaves. Phloem, on the other hand, is responsible for the transport of sugars and other organic compounds throughout the plant.