PH LO E M

 A complex tissue composed of four different types of cells:

a) Sieve tube elements
b) Companion cells
c) Phloem parenchyma
d) Phloem fibres

 Functions
a) Translocates carbohydrates & amino acids (formed during
photosynthesis) from leaf to stem & roots for storage &
growth
b) Provides structural support
SIEVE TUBE CELLS SIEVE TUBES
• Elongated living cells • Long tube-like
• Contain only primary structures
cell walls (cellulose & • Consists sieve tube cells
pectin)
• Transport organic
solutes, such as sucrose
in solution
• End wall - sieve plate
• Mature(sieve tube
elements) - organelles
degenerate, cytoplasm
remains
COMPANION CELLS
• Have a thin primary wall, nuclei &
very dense, active cytoplasm
• Parenchyma cell - elongated,
narrow & lies adjacent to sieve tube
elements
• Plasmodesmata - cytoplasmic
connections with sieve tube
elements
• Metabolically active - high density
of mitochondria
• Transport sugar to sieve tube
elements
PHLOEM
PARENCHYMA PHLOEM FIBRES
• Occur in dicotyledons • Occasionally in primary
• Structure similar to phloem, more frequent
parenchyma cell in secondary phloem
• Generally elongated dicotyledons
• Store food substances • Provides support
• Structure similar to
sclerenchyma fibres
 TYPES OF PHLOEM
Primary Phloem Secondary Phloem
• Protophloem - first • Formed from vascular
phloem, in elongation cambium during
zone of stem & root thickening
• Metaphloem - matured
phloem