Question

The function of phloem in plants is
A. Produce food
B. Transport water
C. Transport food
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint:- Plants are made up of various types of tissues. The main functions of these tissues are production, storage, and transport of food and water, and mechanical support to the plants. Phloem is a complex permanent tissue present in higher vascular plants.

Complete answer:
Phloem is a living conductive tissue present in the plants. Plants produce soluble organic compounds (food), commonly known as photosynthates, through the process of photosynthesis by which plants utilize sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce sugar (sucrose). The production of the food occurs mainly in the leaves and thus, it is needed to be transported to the whole body. For this purpose, phloem is used. Phloem transports the food material from the leaves to all the other parts of the plants where it is needed. This process of transport of food from the leaves to the other parts of the plant is called translocation.
Additional information: In large trees showing secondary growth, the innermost layer of the bark is the phloem. The major components of phloem are sieve tube elements, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibers. Sieve tube elements are long tube-like structures found attached to the companion cells. The companion cells are parenchymatous. Phloem parenchyma is composed of long cylindrical cells having dense cytoplasm and a nucleus. Phloem fibers are elongated sclerenchymatous cells that are pointed at the terminals.

So the correct option is (C) Transport food.

Note:- Phloem in the angiosperms (flower-bearing plants) is made up of sieve tube elements, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibers, and companion cells. In gymnosperms, phloem is made up of albuminous cells and sieve cells, but sieve tubes and companion cells are absent.