produces a "disjoining pressure", whose value varies with distance from the wall. (Disjoining pressure is a difference in pressure from that which prevails in the bulk of a liquid; it is due to the liquid's interaction with a surface. The interaction may result in a pressure at the surface that is greater or less than that which prevails in the rest of the liquid.) As a tree's leaves transpire, water is drawn from the xylem's vessels; hence, the thickness of the film of sap varies with height within a vessel. Since the disjoining pressure varies with the thickness of the film, a gradient in the disjoining pressure arises during transpiration: the disjoining pressure is greater at the bottom of the vessel (where the film is thickest) and less at the top of the vessel (where the film is thinner). This spatial difference in pressure within the film results in a net force that pushes the sap upwards towards the leaves. Xylem structure Xylem tissue is one of two types of vascular tissue found in plants, and is composed of dead cells. It is used mainly for the transport of water, along with some small nutrients. The meristem of the stem creates cells which make up the cambium and pro-cambium. These cells then produce a highly branched poly-phenolic protein, called lignin, in a very high concentration. The cells then perform apoptosis, and the actual xylem tube begins to form. Being made of dead cells allows the xylem tube to function more efficiently by reducing friction, and by eliminating interactions xylem sap may have with living cells. It allows for a smooth and fast suction of water, and provides just enough friction to keep the column form rupturing. The rigid structure of the lignin protein gives a sturdy structure to the tube, and even provides some structure and support for the plant. Xylem mainly functions to transport water from the roots to the rest of the plant, however it also transports some nutrients, such as amino acids, small proteins, ions, and some other vital nutrients. Phloem structure The phloem is the living portion of the vascular system of a plant, and serves to move sugars and photosynthate from source cells to sink cells. Phloem tissue is made of sieve elements and companion cells, and is surrounded by parenchyma cells. The sieve element cells work as the main player in transport of phloem