Why Do Xylem Vessels Have Pits?

The presence of pit membranes prevents the spread of embolism and pathogens through the xylem network; presumably this is the selective pressure that has favored maintaining these structures after autolysis of other cell wall components.

What is the function of pits in plant cells?

Minute openings (pits) in the secondary cell wall of water conducting elements play an important role in water transport in living plants. They allow the flow of water and nutrients from one element to another, linking water uptake in roots with transpiration in leaves.

Do vessels in xylem have pits?

Both xylem vessels and tracheids have pits on their lateral walls. The xylem vessel is a series of cells and each cell is referred to as a vessel member (vessel element). In contrast, a tracheid is an individual cell.