Light micrograph of a transverse section through the root of the broad bean, Vicia faba, showing the central vascular tissues. Usually the roots of leguminous plants, such as V. faba, bear root nodules containing millions of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, this specimen however shows no such signs of infection. The large white areas are the vessels of the vascular system, the xylem and phloem. Xylem vessels carry water and minerals absorbed by the root to the rest of the plant whilst phloem vessels carry sugar in the reverse direction, from leaves to root. Magnification: x40 at 35mm size.