Question

Which of the following helps in translocation of food in plants?
A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Sclerenchyma
D. Collenchyma

Answer 1

Hint: Translocation is the process of movement of materials from one part of the plant to another. Typically, plants translocate food and water from leaves and roots respectively. The tissues that are involved in translocation are vascular in nature.

Complete answer:
> Xylem is the water conducting tissue in plants. It is a vascular tissue. Xylem is composed of tracheids and xylem vessels. Though xylem typically transports water from the root to different parts of the plant, it is also known to transport minerals. Xylem replenishes the water lost through the process of transpiration and photosynthesis.
> Phloem is a vascular tissue that translocates food material from the leaves to different parts of the plant. The leaves are the site of food synthesis in plants. The process by which plants make their food is called photosynthesis. It takes place when carbon dioxide reacts with water in presence of sunlight and forms a sugar called glucose and oxygen. The reaction is aided by a pigment present in leaves called chlorophyll. The movement of food materials through phloem takes place in many directions.
> Sclerenchyma is a ground tissue present in plants. The cell wall of sclerenchyma is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. It is a supporting tissue in plants and is primarily composed of dead cells with thick cell walls. The sclerenchyma functions to support and strengthen the plant cells
> Collenchyma provides mechanical support in growing shoots and roots. Their cell walls are not uniformly thickened. Collenchyma cells are living cells and the cell walls comprises pectin and cellulose. They are present near the vascular tissue and provide structural support to the plants.
Therefore, it can be inferred that phloem transports food materials in plants.

Hence, option (B) is correct.

Note: Vascular tissues in plants are responsible for conduction of water and food materials. The xylem and phloem are vascular tissues in plants. Phloem transports the carbohydrates formed in the leaves by photosynthesis to different parts of the plant.