Structure of the phloem tissue

Phloem tissue includes :

1. Sieve tubes :
 Is a tube consist of many cells Known as sieve tube elements.
 These cells arrange above each other to form a sieve tube.
 Sieve elements are alive cells without nucleus. Their end walls
are perforated by large number of pores forming sieve plate.
2. Companion cells :
 Alive cells with nucleus and a lot of mitochondria, these cells
located behind the sieve tubes and provide them with energy.
 Companion cells linked to sieve tubes by plasmodismata.
3. In addition to the sieve tubes and companion cells phloem
tissue contains parenchyma and fibers.
TRANSLOCATION
 Organic substances produced in the leaves ( source ) by
photosynthesis such as sucrose and amino acids … etc.
 These substances must be transported to other parts of the
plant as roots ( sink ).
 The mass flow theory explains how these substances are
transported.
Is the transport of food inside the phloem from source to sink

Sink is any place of the plant where food removed from the phloem

Source is any place of the plant where the food enters the phloem
Mass-flow theory :
A. LOADING of substances into
the phloem :
- Sucrose is actively transported
from source into the phloem.
- Ψw decreases inside the phloem.
-Water enters the phloem by
osmosis.
-This increases the hydrostatic
pressure inside the phloem near to
the source.
B. UNLOADING of substances
from the phloem :
- Sucrose is actively transported
from phloem into the sink.
- Ψw increases inside the
phloem.
- Water leaves the phloem by
osmosis.
-This decreases the hydrostatic
pressure inside the phloem near
to the sink.
C. MASS FLOW :
- Loading and unloading cause
a gradient in the osmotic
pressure inside the phloem.
- This cause a mass flow of
substances from source to sink.
Properties of translocation :
1. It is an active process ( needs energy
input ) during loading and unloading.
2. it occurs in any direction ( according to
the location of the source and the sink ).
Measuring the rate of transpiration :
•Transpiration rate of plants can be measured by a number of
techniques, one is the potometer.
•potometer is a device used for measuring the rate of water
uptake of a leafy shoot. The reasons for water uptake are for
photosynthesis and transpiration.
•The potometer consists of a length of capillary tube. A
bubble is introduced to the capillary; as water is taken up by the
plant, the bubble moves. By marking regular gradations on the
tube, it is possible to measure water uptake.
A reservoir, typically a funnel with a
tap; turning the tap on the reservoir
resets the bubble.
Some designs use a syringe instead.
A tube for holding the shoot.
The shoot must be held in contact with
the water; additionally, the surface of
the water should not be exposed to the
air.
Otherwise, evaporation will interfere
with measurements. A rubber bung
greased with petroleum jelly suffices.