Which type of vascular tissue carries sugars and organic substances throughout a plant?

Which type of vascular tissue carries sugars and organic substances throughout a plant?

• A. Xylem
• B. Phloem
• C. Meristem
• D. Collenchyma

Answer: (B)

Phloem is the type of vascular tissue responsible for transporting sugars and various organic compounds throughout a plant. This process is essential for the distribution of energy produced during photosynthesis from the leaves, where it occurs, to the rest of the plant, including roots, stems, and developing fruits and seeds, where it is needed for growth and energy storage. Phloem operates through a mechanism known as translocation, which involves the movement of these substances from source tissues (like leaves) to sink tissues (like roots or fruits). This transport process ensures that all parts of the plant receive the necessary nutrients for their function and development. In contrast, xylem primarily transports water and inorganic minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, which serves a different but equally critical role in plant physiology. Meristem refers to the regions of actively dividing cells and is not directly involved in the transport of substances, while collenchyma is a type of ground tissue that provides structural support but does not participate in transport. This underscores why phloem is specifically tasked with the movement of sugars and organic substances in the plant system.

Phloem is the type of vascular tissue responsible for transporting sugars and various organic compounds throughout a plant. This process is essential for the distribution of energy produced during photosynthesis from the leaves, where it occurs, to the rest of the plant, including roots, stems, and developing fruits and seeds, where it is needed for growth and energy storage.

Phloem operates through a mechanism known as translocation, which involves the movement of these substances from source tissues (like leaves) to sink tissues (like roots or fruits). This transport process ensures that all parts of the plant receive the necessary nutrients for their function and development.

In contrast, xylem primarily transports water and inorganic minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, which serves a different but equally critical role in plant physiology. Meristem refers to the regions of actively dividing cells and is not directly involved in the transport of substances, while collenchyma is a type of ground tissue that provides structural support but does not participate in transport. This underscores why phloem is specifically tasked with the movement of sugars and organic substances in the plant system.