The vascular system of plants consists of xylem and phloem tissues that transport water, minerals, and sugars throughout the plant. Xylem contains specialized cells that transport water and dissolved minerals passively from the roots to the leaves through a process called transpiration. Phloem contains sieve tube elements and companion cells that actively transport sugars produced during photosynthesis from leaves to areas of the plant where they are used or stored through pressure differences in the phloem.