Question

The food which is prepered by the leaves of the plants during photosynthesis needs to be transported to other parts like stem, roots, fruits and flowers. The plant tissue responsible for this transport of food material is called phloem tissue. This process of transportation of food from the site of photosynthesis to other plant parts is called translocation. Translocation is bidirectional.
Which of the following statement/s is incorrect with regards to the above passage:
i. Food is translocated by xylem tracheids
ii. Translocation is multidirectional
iii. Food is synthesised primarily in leaves of the plant.
iv. Stem of the plant receive food by a process called translocation.

Answer 1

Food is translocated through phloem tissues, xylem is responsible for transportation of water and minerals. Translocation of food through phloem tissue is bidirectional.
The phloem tissue gets accumulated with sucrose and it absorbs water, which creates high turgor pressure. In the phloem the food flows from the source (site of synthesis) to the sink (stem, root, fruits). The other areas contain low turgor pressure at the moment because of the loss of water molecules. Thus, the water flows from a region of high turgor pressure towards a region of low turgor pressure. This is the reason why the direction of the phloem is both upwards and downwards, depending on the gradient formed.