Phloem & the Transport of Sucrose
- Photosynthesis produces glucose, which can then be converted into sucrose for transport around the plant
- Glucose can also be converted into other substances, such as amino acids
- Sucrose is transported from the photosynthetic parts of plants to the places where it is needed
- Sucrose transport takes place in the phloem
- The movement of sucrose in the phloem is sometimes referred to as translocation
- When sucrose leaves the phloem it can be converted into other substances, e.g.
- Glucose for respiration
- Starch for storage
- Phloem tissue is adapted to allow the easy transport of sucrose, e.g.
- The end walls of phloem cells contain pores to allow sucrose to pass through
- Neighbouring cells, known as companion cells, contain many mitochondria to actively transport sucrose into the phloem
Phloem structure diagram
Sucrose is transported from the site of photosynthesis in the phloem
