Introduction

Plants have a complex system of transportation that is essential to their survival. The vascular system, made up of xylem and phloem, plays a crucial role in this process. In this article, we will focus on the role of phloem in vascular plants and its importance.

What is phloem?

Phloem is a complex tissue that is responsible for the transportation of organic nutrients from the leaves to other parts of a plant. These organic nutrients include glucose, amino acids, and other sugars produced through photosynthesis. The phloem tissue is made up of specialized cells, referred to as sieve tube elements or sieve cells, which are arranged end to end forming a hollow tube.

Role of phloem in transportation

The transportation of organic nutrients in phloem is known as translocation. The process of translocation requires energy, which is provided by the plant. This energy is used to actively transport nutrients from source to sink. The source is where the nutrients are produced, usually in the leaves, and the sink is where the nutrients are required, for example, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits.

The process of translocation in phloem is bidirectional, which means it transports nutrients both upwards and downwards. When nutrients are transported upwards, it is referred to as transpiration. On the other hand, downward transportation is referred to as translocation.

Importance of phloem

Phloem plays a crucial role in the survival and growth of vascular plants. Without phloem, the plant would not be able to transport organic nutrients from the leaves to other parts of the plant, which would ultimately lead to starvation and death of the plant.

Phloem also plays an important role in the storage of nutrients during times of excess production. When a plant produces more organic nutrients than it needs, the excess is stored in the phloem tissue for later use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, phloem plays an essential role in the transportation of organic nutrients from the leaves to other parts of a plant. The process of translocation is bidirectional and requires energy from the plant. Phloem also plays an important role in the storage of excess organic nutrients. In summary, the survival and growth of vascular plants depend on the crucial role played by the phloem tissue.