What is the primary function of phloem in vascular plants?

What is the primary function of phloem in vascular plants?

• A. Phloem transports sugars from sources to sinks
• B. Phloem transports water
• C. Phloem transports minerals
• D. Phloem transports oxygen

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that phloem moves organic nutrients, especially sugars, from where they’re produced to where they’re needed or stored. In leaves, sugars formed during photosynthesis are loaded into phloem and travel through sieve tubes with the help of companion cells. This flow goes to various sinks such as growing shoots, roots, or fruits, meeting energy and building-block demands as needed. The movement is driven by pressure from loading sugars into the phloem, which draws in water and creates a sap flow toward regions that unload and use or store the sugar. This is different from xylem, which carries water and minerals upward from the roots. Oxygen transport isn’t a function of phloem. So phloem’s primary role is transporting sugars from sources to sinks.

The main idea here is that phloem moves organic nutrients, especially sugars, from where they’re produced to where they’re needed or stored. In leaves, sugars formed during photosynthesis are loaded into phloem and travel through sieve tubes with the help of companion cells. This flow goes to various sinks such as growing shoots, roots, or fruits, meeting energy and building-block demands as needed. The movement is driven by pressure from loading sugars into the phloem, which draws in water and creates a sap flow toward regions that unload and use or store the sugar. This is different from xylem, which carries water and minerals upward from the roots. Oxygen transport isn’t a function of phloem. So phloem’s primary role is transporting sugars from sources to sinks.