Transport

in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

Transport in Phloem

The movement of substances in phloem is called translocation.
The main substances that are moved are sucrose and amino acids, which are in solution
in water.
These substances have been made by plant and are called assimilates.

Phloem tissue

The assimilates are transported in sieve tube elements, which form long columns with
holes in their end walls called sieve plates.
These are living cells and contain cytoplasm and a few organelles but no nucleus.
Their walls are made up of cellulose.
Each sieve tube cell is associated with one or more companion cells, normal cells with
nuclei and organelles.
These companion cells are connected to the sieve tube cells by plasmodesmata, and
provide them with proteins, ATP and other nutrients.
The liquid inside phloem sieve tubes is called phloem sap.































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Transport
in m
ulticellular
lants pthe
art
3 of
the
phloem
can
move
both
up
or
down
a plant
stem,
Lesson 3
Unlike
the
water in thepxylem,
contents

often simultaneously. It helps to identify where the sugar is being transported from (the source), and

where to (the
).
Mineral
ion sink
transport
in plants
x During the summer sugar is mostly transported from the leaves, where it is made by
Ions are (the
absorbed
rom
the soil
by itboth
passive
and active transport.
photosynthesis
source) fto
the roots,
where
is stored
(the sink).
Specific ion pumps in the membranes of root hair cells pump ions from the soil
x During the spring, sugar is often transported from the underground root store (the source) to the
into the cytoplasm of the endodermis cells.
growing
leaf
buds u
(the
sink).
The
active
ptake
of ions is partly responsible for the water potential gradient in
roots,
nd therefore
for photosynthetic,
the uptake oso
f wsugars
ater b
y oalso
smosis.
x Flowers
and ayoung
buds are not
can
be transported from leaves or

Ions
d
iffuse
d
own
t
heir
c
oncentration
g
radient
f
rom
the epidermis to the xylem.
roots (the source) to flowers or buds (sinks).
They travel up the xylem by mass flow as the water is pulled up the stem.
In the leaves they are absorbed into the surrounding cells by membrane pumps.
Surprisingly,
the exact mechanism of sugar transport in the phloem is not known, but it is certainly


far too fast to be simple diffusion. The main mechanism is thought to be the mass flow of fluid up
Solute
transport
in pphloem,
lants carrying dissolved solutes with it. Plants dont have hearts, so the
the xylem
and down the

mass flow is driven by a combination of active transport (energy from ATP) and evaporation
Translocation of sucrose and other assimilates is an energy requiring
(energy from the sun). This is called the mass flow theory, and it works like this:
Process.
phloem xylem

1
2
evaporates

leaf cells
(source)



movement of sucrose
7
3

movement of water

movement of ions




root cells
soil
(sink)

6
5
4

1. Sucrose produced by photosynthesis is actively pumped into the phloem vessels by the

cells.
1. companion
Sucrose is
loaded into companion cell by active transport from the source (leaf ) .
2. This decreases
the water
potential
in theoleaf
so water diffuses
neighbouring
Hydrogen
ions
are moved
ut ophloem,
f the companion
cell, ufrom
sing the
ATP
as an energy
source.
xylem vessels by osmosis.
Large excess of hydrogen ions outside the companion cell.
They can move back in to the companion cell down their concentration
HGS A-level notes
9/01 for
gradient, through co-transporter protein, which act as a carrier pNCM
rotein
both hydrogen ions and sucrose at the same time.
Sucrose molecules are moved into the companion cell against the
concentration gradient of sucrose.

2. This increases the concentration of sucrose in the companion cell, so that it moves
by diffusion down a concentration gradient into the phloem sieve element.
3. The increased concentration of sucrose in the companion cell and phloem sieve
element produces a water potential gradient from the surrounding cells in to the
companion cell and phloem sieve element. Water moves down this gradient.
4. This increases the hydrostatic pressure in the phloem, so water and dissolved
solutes are forced downwards from source to sink to relieve the pressure. This is
mass flow: The flow of water together with its dissolved solutes due to a force.

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Kajana Sivarasa

transported from and to, as well as measuring the rate of transport. The radioactivity can be
the phloem to the xylem.
traced
using photographic
film3 (an
can be
Transport
in multicellular
plants part
autoradiograph)
or
a GM
tube.
This
techniques
Lesson
3 used
7. Water and its dissolved ions are pulled up the xylem by tension from the leaves. This is also

to trace sugars, ions or even water.

mass flow.

5.InAt
sink, sexperiment
ucrose diffuses
out
f the phloem
sieve
down a cfor
oncentration
a atypical
a plant
isogrown
in the lab
andelement
one leafand
is exposed
a short time to
gradient into
a cell that
is using
ucrose.
Module
Physiology
and Transport
- page 31
This mass-flow
certainly
occurs,
and sit
explains
the3 - fast
of14 solute
translocation. However
14 speed
containing
radioactive
C. This
will
taken up by
6.carbon
At the dioxide
same time,
ions are the
being
pumped iisotope
nto the xylem
from tCO
he s2oil
by abe
ctive
therephotosynthesis
must
be
additional
processes,
since
mass
flow
does
not
explain
how
different
14This is increases
3.
the
hydrostatic
pressure
in
the
phloem,
so
water
and
solutescan
are
transport reducing
ater potential
gradient
the
xylem.
and thethe Cwincorporated
into
glucosein
and
then
sucrose. The plant isdissolved
thensolutes
frozen
forced downwards
to relieve the
pressure.
is mass
: the flow
of water
together with its
7. The
xylem now
has or
a lower
potential
than
the
hloem,
so flow
water
dsignificant
iffuses
by
move
different
speeds
evenfixw
initater
different
directions
inpThis
the
phloem.
One
process
in at
liquid
nitrogen
to kill
and
quickly,
and
placed
onto
photographic
film
in
the
dark.
The is
dissolved
solutes
due to a force.
osmosis from the phloem
to the
xylem.
14
cytoplasmic
: the
active
transport
ofare
molecules
and
organelles
cells
on the
the
location
compounds
C. the
4. shows
In ithe
roots
solutes uof
frombcontaining
the
phloem by
active
transport
intoTthe
cells of the
8.resulting
Water streaming
aautoradiograph
nd its dissolved
ons
are the
pulled
p
tremoved
he xylem
y tsmall
ension
from
laround
eaves.
his
is also mass flow.
cytoskeleton.
root.

5. At the same time, ions are being pumped into the xylem from the soil by active transport,

reducing the water potential in the xylem.
Translocation
Experiments
Translocation
Experiments
bottle with
6. The xylem now has a lower water potential than the phloem, so water diffuses by osmosis from

source of
the phloem to the xylem.
14

CO2Experiments autoradiograph
1. Puncture
7. Water and its dissolved ions are pulled up the xylem by tension from the leaves. This is also

phloem xylem
If the
phloem is punctured
masswith
flow. a hollow tube then the sap
Puncture
Experiments
oozes out, showing that there is high pressure
if phloem
is translocation. However
This w
mass-flow
certainly
occurs,
andthe
it explains
speed
of solute
14
If the phloem is punctured
ith a hollow
tube
then
sincreasing
ap the fast
punctured
sap
time
exposed
to CO2
(compression)
inside
the
phloem
(this
is
how
maple
syrup
must
additional
processes,
since mass flow does notoozes
explain
how different solutes can
oozes out, showing that there
there
is hbeigh
pressure
(compression)
out
move
at
different
speeds
or
even
in
different
directions
in
the
phloem.
One
significant process is
inside
t
he
p
hloem.
is tapped). If the xylem is punctured then air is sucked in,
This
experiment
shows
that
organic
compounds
(presumably
sugars)
are
transported
downwards
If the xylem is punctured
then air
is sucked
in, showing tofhat
streaming
: the active
molecules and small organelles around cells stem
on the
if xylem is
showing that there iscytoplasmic
low pressure
(tension)transport
inside the
there
low leaf
pressure
(tension)
inside sophisticated
the xylem. experiments using
fromis the
to the
roots. More
fluorescently
labelled
cytoskeleton.
punctured
air
xylem.
This the
illustrates
the main
difference
between
This
illustrates
main difference
between
transport
in xylem
is sucked in
compounds can locate the compound specifically to the phloem cells.
and
phloem:
ater is and
pulled
up in tWater
he xylem,
sap is up
pushed

transport
inWxylem
phloem:
is pulled
in the
Translocation
Experiments
down in the phloem.
xylem,
sap is pushed down
in theExperiments
phloem.
1. Puncture
Stylet
4. Aphid
Experiments
phloem xylem
If the phloem is punctured with a hollow tube then the sap
Aphid stylet Experiment
Aphids,
such
as
greenfly,
have
specialised
mouthparts
called
stylets,
phloem
stylet
2.Aphids,
such
as greenfly, hoozes
ave specialized
mouthparts
out, showing
that there is high pressure
Ringing
Experiments
if phloem is
punctured sap
called
stylets,
which
they u(compression)
se tphloem
o penetrate
phloem
which
they use
to penetrate
tubesthe
and
sup (this
of isthehowsugary
sap
inside
phloem
maple syrup
oozes out
Since
the
vessels
are
the xylem
tubes
and
sup phloem
of the sugary
stapped).
ap.
Ifoutside
is
the
xylem
is
punctured
then
air
is
sucked
in,
therein. If the aphids are anaesthetised with carbon dioxide and cut off,
leave
stem
If vessels,
the aphids
anaesthetized
ith
cthere
arbon
dioxide
a(tension) inside the
theyare
can
be selectively
removed
cutting
if xylem
isstem
showingwthat
is by
low
pressure
for
a
punctured air
thecut
stylet
inremains
the phloem
so ppure
phloem
sap can be collected
and
off, tremains
he stylet
in the
hloem
so
pure
week
xylem. This
illustrates
the main
is sucked in
ring in a stem just deep enough
to cut
the phloem
butdifference between
phloem
s
ap
c
an
b
e
c
ollected
t
hrough
t
he
s
tylet
f
or

through the stylet for analysis.
technique
transport inThis
xylem surprising
and phloem: Water
is pulledisupmore
in the
not the xylem. After a week there is a swelling above
analysis.
ring aphid
of
xylem, sap is pushed down in the phloem.
accurate than a human with a syringe and the aphids enzymes ensure bark and
the ring, reduced growth below the ring and the
phloem
Ringing
xperiments
that Ethe
stylet doesnt get
blocked.
2. Ringing
Experiments
removed
leavesthe
arephloem
unaffected.
This
early
evidence
that hey xylem
Since
vessels
are owas
utside
the vessels
xylem are
vessels,

Since
the
phloem
outside tthe
can be selectively removed
by cutting a ring in a stem just
leave
vessels, they can be selectively removed by cutting a
for a
deep enough to cut the phloem but not the xylem.
week
ring in a stem just deep enough to cut the phloem but
HGS A-level notes
NCM 9/01
After a week there is a swelling above the ring, reduced growth
not the xylem. After a week there is a swelling above
ring of
below the ring and the leaves are unaffected. This was early
bark and
the ring, reduced growth below the ring and the
evidence that sugars were transported downwards in the phloem.
phloem
removed NCM 9/01
leaves are unaffected. This was early evidence that
HGS A-level notes

HGS A-level notes

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NCM 9/01

Kajana Sivarasa

Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

Practice Question 1

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Kajana Sivarasa

Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

Practice Question 2

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Kajana Sivarasa

Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

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Kajana Sivarasa

Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

Practice Question 3

The figure below is a diagram showing some of the cells in the root of a dicotyledonous plant.

root hair

several cells omitted

(a)

xylem vessel

Complete the table below by indicating which of the letters A to E indicates:

a cell from the endodermis

a cell from the phloem.

letter
endodermis
phloem
[2]

(b)

State two features of root hair cells which adapt them for water uptake.
1 ......................................................................................................................
2 ......................................................................................................................
[2]

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Kajana Sivarasa

Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

(c)

In this question, one mark is available for the quality of spelling, punctuation and
grammar.
Plants absorb water from the soil via their roots.
Describe the pathways and mechanisms by which water passes from the soil to
the xylem vessels in the root.
(Allow one lined page).
[6]
Quality of Written Communication [1]

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Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

(d)

After water has entered the xylem vessels in the root, it passes through them to the
rest of the plant.
Describe how two features of xylem vessels adapt them for water transport.
1 ......................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
2 ......................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
[4]
[Total 15 marks]

Practice Question 4
Below is a diagram of a cross section of an organ from a dicotyledonous plant showing some
of the tissues.

A
B
C
D

(i)

Name the plant organ shown in the diagram above.

.........................................................................................................................
[1]

(ii)

State which of the regions A to D is phloem tissue.

.........................................................................................................................
[1]

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Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

[Total 2 marks]

Practice Question 5
(a)

From the list below, circle the carbohydrate that is transported in phloem.
auxin

fructose

glucose

glycine

glycogen

starch

sucrose
[1]

(b) Phloem is responsible for the transport of carbohydrate in plants. The diagram
below shows the structure of the cells in phloem.

A-level Biology, page 362 Fig. 31.10A,

by W D Phillips and T J Chilton,
published by Oxford University Press,
1989. (ISBN 0 19 914089 8)

(i)

Name the cells P and Q in the diagram.

P .............................................................................................................
Q ............................................................................................................
[2]

(ii)

Outline how P and Q are involved in the transport of carbohydrate in phloem.

................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
[3]

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Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

[Total 6 marks]

Practice Question 6

Carbohydrate moves from regions of plants called sources to regions called sinks.
Explain how, at different times, the same plant root may be a source or a sink.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
[Total 2 marks]

Practice Question 7
Fig. 1 shows the distribution of some of the tissues in a transverse section of a plant organ.
Fig. 2 is a photograph showing details of two cells, D and E, from one of the tissues.

A
B
D

C
Fig. 1

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Fig. 2

11

Kajana Sivarasa

Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

(a)

Name the plant organ shown in Fig. 1

.........................................................................................................................
[1]

(b)

Name the tissue shown in Fig. 2.

.........................................................................................................................
[1]

(c)

State in which region, A to C of Fig. 1, you would expect to find the tissue shown in
Fig. 2.
.........................................................................................................................
[1]

(d)

Complete the table below by:

stating three features or properties of cells D or E in Fig. 2 which adapt them

to their function;

explaining how the features or properties you have given help the tissue to
carry out its function.

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Transport in multicellular plants part 3 Lesson 3

Make it clear in your answer which cell, D or E, you are describing for each feature
you give.
feature or property

how the feature or property helps the tissue

to carry out its function

[6]
[Total 9 marks]

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13

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