In this article we want to tell you about another of whats Vegetable tissues important for the correct development of the plants. As with the xylem, the phloem is a conductive tissue in charge of transporting beneficial substances for the plant organism. The origin of the word phloem, as well as its meaning comes from the Greek word “phloios”, which translates as “cortex.” From this word the famous botanist Karl Wilhem von Nageli coined the term phloem to define one of the main conductive tissues of vascular plants in 1873.
Thus, in this Ecology text, we will show you everything you need to know about this plant tissue, since it forms it, what the phloem transports and what is its main function within the vegetative system.
What is the phloem
The phloem is in charge of getting the Nutrient transfer produced in the aerial part of the plant or photosynthetic sector until reaching the individual’s root. Hence, its main function is to transport and distribute the sap prepared throughout the plant for management, absorption and storage. The phloem, also called LIBER OR SCREENis formed by plant cells without nucleus capable of forming walls where to conduct nutrients.
- Parenchymal cells: This type of cells, although they are not very specialized, are found in voble amounts in the primary and secondary phloem. Its main function is to ensure the translation of screening compounds that transport sugar, in addition to storing other substances such as oils and tannins.
- Screening tubes: They are individual -looking individual cells and that have longitudinal ranks that communicate with the screening plates besieged in the terminal walls. They are typical of the plants belonging to the group of angiosperms. The screening plates have pores that cross the wall completely and thus facilitate communication with the screening tubes while with parenchymal cells, very specialized cells.
In the same way, as we have already named, we can distinguish Two types of floe:
Primary phloem
It is the one that begins in the procambium or primary meristem. This is divided into two sections: protofloem and metaphloema. The protofloem appears in certain areas of the plants that are in the growth stage while metaphloema appears after the maturation process.
Secondary phloem
This is formed in the Cambium. This is located right at the end of the stem or the root of the plant and is formed by cells ordered on two routes, both axial and radial, 90 degrees. The axials are erect and parallel in the central area and are made up of screening units and parenchymal cells. The radials are grouped in radios perpendicular to the and also formed by parenchymal cells, although they lack secretory ducts.
Floem function
The phloem is the Vascular fabric manager of transporting sugars and nutrients resulting after photosynthesis. Once the gross sap converted into ELABORATED SAVIAthe phloem is transported by all the organs of the plant starting from the leaves to the root, so that they are consumed or stored according to the needs of the plant. We recommend knowing what the sap, its types and functions with this other post is.
This process is also known as translocation. This occurs when the sugars that have accumulated during the development of the plant are transported to the so -called meristems, which are another type of plant tissue responsible for developing new cells to increase and improve the development of the plant. This process usually occurs above all during spring that is the time of the year in which plants are more active.
Difference between xylem and phloem
We have created a list with the Main differences between xylem and phloem. The main idea is that after having understood the function of this type of plant tissues, it is able to learn to differentiate them following this small list:
- The phloem is the commission of transporting the elaborate sap, which is the result after the process of photosynthesis carried out by the plant while the xylem is the conductive tissue that transports the gross sap for its transformation into elaborate sap.
- The phloem has the main function to transport the necessary nutrients for the optimal development of the plant while the xylem is mainly responsible for transporting water and mineral salts.
- The phloem transport system works bidirectionally, transporting nutrients throughout the plant. In the case of Xilema this is unidirectional.
- The phloem transports the nutrients from the leaves to the root, and then bring the necessary substances to the entire plant. However, the xylem only transports from the roots to the leaves.
- Finally, the phloem is formed by a series of cells that make up a soft cell wall while the xylem is formed by lignified cell walls.
Learn more about what is xylem and its function.
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