EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Phloem is a complex permanent tissue that is present in all vascular plants. Phloem consists of various elements-phloem parenchyma, phloem fibers, companion cells, and sieve tubes. The transportation of food in plants through phloem is bidirectional i.e., in both upward and downward directions.

Detailed explanation-2: -It is important to the plant that the phloem moves both up and down because the movement of food and nutrients created during photosynthesis throughout the plant is accomplished by the phloem.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sometimes when the food is not synthesized by the plants due to the lack of sunlight then, the food which is previously stored in roots is used by the plants. Hence, the movement of food through the phloem is bi-directional i.e. both in upward and downward directions.

Detailed explanation-4: -The cells that do this work are called the xylem cells. They move water. The phloem cells move the food. Stems also provide support for the plant allowing the leaves to reach the sunlight that they need to produce food.

Detailed explanation-5: -The movement of fluid in the phloem, a process called translocation, can occur in any direction, up or down the plant. However, the fluid typically flows from source cells to sink cells.