1. Plants have developed transport systems to efficiently move water, minerals, and food throughout their bodies since diffusion and osmosis alone are too slow for multicellular organisms. 2. The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, while the phloem transports food from the leaves to all parts. They are arranged together in vascular bundles with the cambium. 3. Transpiration pull is the force that drives the movement of water through the xylem. Water evaporates from the leaves and is replaced via cohesion between water molecules.