Transport of food and other substances

1.  What is translocation?

Transport of products of metabolic processes from where they are formed to other parts of the plant is called translocation. For e.g., sugar formed during photosynthesis is translocated to other parts of plant body.

2.  Name the tissue responsible for translocation.

Phloem.

3.  Name the components of phloem that are involved in translocation.

Sieve tubes and companion cells.

4.  Name two substances other than sugar that are translocated through phloem.

Amino acids and hormones.

5.  Differentiate between transport of water and translocation in plants.

Parameter	Ascent of water and minerals	ranslocation
Material transported	Water and minerals	Food, other metabolites hormones, etc
Nature of tissue involved	Through dead xylem	Through living phloem
Direction of transport	From root to leaves	Any direction
Energy	Transfer generally occurs along with concentration gradient hence no energy spent	Energy spent as it is an active process

6.    Explain the mechanism of translocation in plants.

-Transportation of sugar, other metabolites and hormones through phloem is termed as translocation. Food molecules enter the phloem elements or cells from mesophyll cells of the leaf.
-Once inside phloem, food molecules can be translocated upward or downward to all parts of plants including roots in the form of dilute aqueous solution.
- Translocation is an active process as energy is required to move these substances.

7.   Give an example to show that material in phloem can move according to plant's need. 

Translocation in phloem is an active process that requires energy. In potato tuber, the food stored is transported to the flowering parts and buds, which need energy to grow. This shows that material in phloem can move according to plant's need.