The phloem
Food travels to all parts.
Food for every part
The leaves make food. But roots and seeds are far from the leaves. They need food too.
How do you think the food gets to the roots?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Food prepared in the leaves is transported to all parts of the plant through another set of thin tube-like structures called the phloem, and may be stored in parts such as seeds and roots.
Food for every part
The leaves make food. But roots and seeds are far from the leaves. They need food too.
How do you think the food gets to the roots?
- Through thin tubes in the stem
- The roots make their own food in sunlight
- It does not reach them
Follow the food
Slide to let time pass. The orange dots are food made in the leaves.
Tubes called phloem
Food is carried through a second set of tubes. The plant can store food in parts such as seeds and roots.
Food prepared in the leaves is transported to all parts of the plant through another set of thin tube-like structures called the phloem, and may be stored in parts such as seeds and roots.
- Tube | What it carries
- Xylem | Water and minerals, from the roots upwards
- Phloem | Food prepared in the leaves, to all parts
Notes
Food prepared in the leaves is transported to all parts of the plant through another set of thin tube-like structures called the phloem, and may be stored in parts such as seeds and roots.
Check yourself
What carries food made in the leaves to all parts of the plant?
Where may the transported food be stored?
Which pair is correct?
Where is the food prepared before the phloem carries it?
- Xylem. The xylem carries water and minerals.
- Stomata. Stomata are tiny pores for gases.
- Phloem — correct. Yes! The phloem carries food.
- In seeds and roots — correct. Yes! It is stored in parts such as these.
- In the stomata. Stomata are tiny pores on leaves for gases.
- In the air. The plant stores its food in its own parts, such as seeds and roots.
- Xylem carries gases, phloem carries sunlight. Neither tube carries gases or sunlight. Xylem carries water and minerals, phloem carries food.
- Xylem carries water and minerals, phloem carries food — correct. Yes! Two different sets of tubes.
- Xylem carries food, phloem carries water and minerals. It is the other way round. Xylem carries water and minerals.
- In the roots. Roots take up water and minerals. Food is prepared in the leaves.
- In the soil. The soil gives water and minerals. Food is prepared in the leaves.
- In the leaves — correct. Yes! The leaves are the primary site.