Xylem contains tracheids and vessels which are dead cells with lignified walls that transport water and minerals throughout the plant. Tracheids are elongated cells with thickened walls, while vessels are formed from rows of cells with dissolved walls to form continuous channels. Phloem contains sieve tubes, companion cells, bast fibers, and parenchyma. Sieve tubes are long thin-walled cells joined end to end to transport food, while companion cells are associated with sieve tubes and remain connected via pores. Bast fibers are dead sclerenchyma fibers in phloem, while parenchyma is ordinary plant tissue.