2.51 Phloem

1. Photosynthesis occurs which produces glucose. However, glucose is a reducing sugar and is chemically very active therefore cannot be transported.
2. Glucose is then converted to sucrose by the plants. Sucrose is soluble and non reducing which makes it easier to transport.
3. Carbohydrate is transported in the form of sucrose.
4. Amino acids are also transported through sucrose. When the two substances, sucrose and amino acids are put together they form a solution known as 'sap' which travels through a tissue known as the phloem.
5. The transportaion goes down the plant and up to the stems and other vital areas of the plants which are growing.
6. A relevant area to transport this would be from the plant down to the roots where Carbon dioxide would be stored in the form of a 'tuber'. The sap can move in any direction, towards any part of the plant. They can also reverse their direction.
7. Translocation is the name of the process of the movement of sap.
8. The sap moves through a tissue known as phloem. Looking at the stem through a longitudinal perspective, you will see a tubular structure.
9. The connection between phloem cells is that the cell walls have pores in it through which the sap moves.
10. Companion sells are attached to these phloem cells which are metabolically very active, they have more mitochondria. If these cells die, the process of translocation will stop.