What is sap, its types and functions

What is sap, its types and functions

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Everything you need to know about the sap, the vital substance for the growth and development of plants you will find in this brief but interesting article. Here you will find a clear definition of what the sap is, what types of sap exist, where the gross and elaborate sap forms, what functions it performs and how it is transported throughout the plant.

And it is that in Ecology Verde we do not want to give anything for granted or known. Our philosophy is to approach everyone, large and small, the fascinating natural world that surrounds us and, sometimes, the best way to understand the miracle of life is to start with the most basic. Do you want to know a little more about the sap of plants and trees? So, encourage you to continue reading this summary about What is sap, its types and functions.

What is sap and what shape

It is known as sap to the liquid substance that is transferred through the conductive tissue of the plants, one of the various types of plant tissues that exist. Plants are able to create their own food source thanks to the creation of the sap. But what forms the sap? The Savia of a plant contains a lot of mineral salts, amino acids and hormones. However, this liquid substance is mainly composed of waterspecifically 98%, although this may vary according to the species.

The sap found in the plants is of two types: Gross Savia and Savia elaborated. The gross sap is characterized by forming at the root and is transported thanks to xylem to the rest of the parts of the plant. After passing through the photosynthesis process, this becomes elaborate sap and is transported by the phloem right in the opposite direction, from the leaves to the root.

It is important to know, to improve the growth of our plants, that the production of sap of the vast majority of the species coincides with times with higher temperatures. Therefore, most of the pruning that are made are given during winter, to avoid the loss of this vital substance for the life of the plant.

What is the sap, its types and functions - what is the sap and what the form

Types of sap

Savia is transported by plants driving tissues: xylem and phloem. Each of them is in charge of transporting Two types of sap existing:

  • Gross Savia: It is the liquid substance created after the absorption of water roots and mineral salts. This is transported from the roots to the leaves by the woody vessels.
  • ELABORATED SAVIA: It is the result of the transformation of gross sap after the process of photosynthesis. This is transported in the opposite direction, thanks to the phloem, carrying the food by the conductive vessels from the leaves and the stem to the root through the vessels. The elaborated sap is the true food of the plant, since it contains not only water and mineral salts, but also sugars and phytoregulators.

What is sap, its types and functions - types of savia

Savia Functions

These are the main functions of the sap:

  • The main function of the sap is to nurture the plant for its correct development and operation. Here you can learn a lot about the nutrition of plants.
  • The sap is in charge of transporting microelements and macroements to the leaves so that photosynthesis can be performed and thus take food to all parts of the plant.
  • This substance, after being converted into a sap elaborated not only serves as food to the plant itself but also is a source of food for animals and even for the human being. In fact, there are some types of sap produced by different species of plants that are also used for their medicinal properties. For example, the birch sap is quite known to this.
  • Thanks to the sap, the plant can improve its own thermal regulation through the perspiration of this by the leaves and the plant of the plant.

How the Savia goes up to the Tree Cup

The way in which The Savia of a tree reaches the glassbeing transported against gravity, it is achieved thanks to the Xilema. Through this duct, water and mineral salts captured by the raticular system of the Tree of the Earth itself are transported to finally reach all parts of the plant, including the Tree Cup.

The managers Savia transport are The xylem and the phloem. The gross sap that passes through the xylem performs a long journey up to all the points of this to offer the necessary nutrients to the leaves, which are responsible for performing most of the photosynthesis and thus turning it into elaborate sap, is that very rich in carbohydrates. This is transported by the phloem, the other duct in charge of ensuring transporting nutrients. Finally, this elaborate sap will make the opposite route to take the food to the rest of the plant. From the root, through the trunk, the branches and leaves that cover the cup.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is sap, its types and functionswe recommend that you enter our biology category.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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