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Question: What is the chemical composition of xylem and phloem sap?...

What is the chemical composition of xylem and phloem sap?

Explanation

Solution

Vascular plants have special characteristics that can help it absorb water and minerals from the soil. This includes special tissues such as xylem and phloem. Xylem and phloem are two different types of vascular tissues mainly involved in the transportation process. They form a vascular bundle and work together as a whole. The flow in xylem is unidirectional while in phloem it is bidirectional.

Complete answer:
Let’s begin answering this question by knowing the meaning of plant sap.
The fluid transported by xylem and phloem cells is known as sap and it helps in transporting nutrients and water to the various parts of the plant body.
Plant sap flowing in the xylem cells is known as xylem sap and the sap flowing in phloem sieve tube cells is known as phloem sap.
The chemical components of xylem and phloem sap are as follows:
Xylem sap: In xylem sap the major constituents are water and diluted concentrations of different minerals. It is slightly acidic.
Phloem juice: Phloem sap consists of trace elements, water, sucrose and amino acids. Some varieties also contain fructan, raffinose, etc. Phloem sap is slightly alkaline in nature.

Note:
Plants contain vessels that transport water and sugar from one part of the plant to another. Water and dissolved mineral ions are transported from the roots to the rest of the plant via xylem fibres, which also offer structural support. Phloem fibers transport solutes such as sucrose and amino acids from the leaves to the rest of the plant. Many animals and insects feed on xylem and phloem sap as their primary source of nutrition.