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Transportation in Phloem

The transportation of substances in the phloem, known as translocation, involves the movement of organic nutrients from source regions (where sugars are produced) to sink regions (where they are used or stored). This process is explained by the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis, which includes the active loading of sugars, osmotic water influx, and mass flow driven by pressure gradients. Ultimately, sugars are unloaded at the sink, and water is returned to the xylem, maintaining the pressure gradient necessary for efficient nutrient transport throughout the plant.

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3 views3 pages

Transportation in Phloem

The transportation of substances in the phloem, known as translocation, involves the movement of organic nutrients from source regions (where sugars are produced) to sink regions (where they are used or stored). This process is explained by the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis, which includes the active loading of sugars, osmotic water influx, and mass flow driven by pressure gradients. Ultimately, sugars are unloaded at the sink, and water is returned to the xylem, maintaining the pressure gradient necessary for efficient nutrient transport throughout the plant.

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ikgopolenglebang8
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3.1.3 Explain mechanism involved in transportation in phloem.

The transportation of substances in the phloem of plants is a vital process


called translocation. The phloem transports organic nutrients (primarily
sugars like sucrose, but also amino acids, hormones, and other organic
molecules) from source regions to sink regions.

Source- any part of the plant where sugars are produced (eg leaves) or
stored in excess.(eg roots)

Sink-" is any part of the plant where sugars are used or stored. Examples
include growing points (meristems in roots, shoots, buds), developing fruits,
seeds, or storage organs (like roots or tubers.

This movement is explained by the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis, also known


as the Mass Flow Hypothesis.

Mechanism of mass flow in the phoem

1.Loading of Sugars

 Active Loading of Sucrose:

o Sucrose,from glucosr produced during photosynthesis in leaf


mesophyll cells, is actively transported from these cells into
specialized phloem cells called companion cells, and then into
the main conducting cells, the sieve tube elements. This
process often involves use ATP (energy) to move sucrose against
its concentration gradient.

Companion cells are packed with mitochondria providing more


energy (ATP) for the active loading of sugars into the sieve tube
elements.

o Lowering Water Potential: This active loading of a high


concentration of sucrose lowers the water potential within the
sieve elements.

2. Mass Flow (Movement of Sap)

 Osmotic intake of Water . water moves by osmosis from the


adjacent xylem vessels (where water potential is relatively higher)
into the sieve tube elements.
 Build-up of Turgor Pressure: This influx of water increases the
internal hydrostatic pressure, or turgor pressure, within the sieve
tube elements at the source end. This creates a region of high
pressure.

 Pressure Gradient: This high pressure at the source creates a


pressure gradient along the phloem sieve tubes.

 Mass Flow (Bulk Flow): The phloem sap flows from the region of
high pressure (source) to a region of lower pressure (sink). This is the
"mass flow" component of the hypothesis – the entire solution moves
together, much like water flowing through a hose.

 Sieve Tube Elements: These are the main conducting cells of the
phloem. They elongated, living cells that have lost their nucleus and
most organelles at maturity to maximize space for sap flow. Their end
walls are perforated, forming sieve plates, which allow the sap to flow
continuously from one sieve tube element to the next.

3. Unloading of Sugars

 Unloading of Sucrose: At the sink, sucrose is removed from the sieve


tube elements. This removal can occur by either diffusion (if the sugar
concentration is lower in the sink cells) or active transport (if the sink
cells are storing or rapidly using the sugar, maintaining a low
concentration).

 Increasing Water Potential: As sucrose is removed from the sieve


tube elements at the sink, their water potential increases (becomes
less negative).

 Osmotic Water Outflux: Water then moves by osmosis out of the


sieve tube elements and typically back into the adjacent xylem vessels
(or into other surrounding cells), following the water potential gradient.

 Decrease in Turgor Pressure: This outflow of water reduces the


hydrostatic pressure (turgor pressure) within the sieve tube elements
at the sink, maintaining the pressure gradient between the source and
the sink.

Summary of the Mass Flow Hypothesis:


1. Source Loading: Sugars (e.g., sucrose) are actively loaded into sieve
tube elements at the source, lowering their water potential.

2. Water Influx: Water moves by osmosis from the xylem into the sieve
tube elements at the source, increasing turgor pressure.

3. Mass Flow: This high turgor pressure at the source drives the mass
flow of phloem sap along the sieve tubes to regions of lower pressure
(the sinks).

4. Sink Unloading: Sugars are actively or passively unloaded from sieve


tube elements at the sink.

5. Water Outflux: Water moves by osmosis out of the sieve tube


elements at the sink (often returning to the xylem), decreasing turgor
pressure and maintaining the pressure gradient.

This mechanism ensures that sugars produced at one location can be


efficiently transported to all other parts of the plant where they are needed
for growth, metabolism, or storage, making it a crucial aspect of plant
physiology.

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