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Translocation

Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.5.6

Translocation

Translocation is the process by which food produced in photosynthesis is transported from the leaves to the growing regions of plants and storage organs. Features of translocation are:

Phloem tubes

Phloem tubes

  • Translocation happens through phloem tubes.
  • Phloem tubes are made up of columns of elongated cells that have holes in the end walls.
  • These holes allow cell sap (a liquid in plants that stores sugars, salts and amino acids) to pass between the cells.
Bidirectional

Bidirectional

  • Unlike water transport (transpiration), translocation is bidirectional (movement is both up and down the plant).

Test yourself on Translocation

  • Why do phloem cells have holes in their end walls?

  • How does the transport of food by translocation differ from the transport of water and minerals through xylem vessels?

  • A potato plant produces sugar in its leaves. This sugar is used by new growing leaves and stored in underground tubers. Which process transports the sugar to both of these places?

  • What would happen to the movement of cell sap if the holes in the end walls of phloem cells became blocked?

  • Why must translocation move food both up and down a plant, rather than in a single direction?

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