In plants, food is prepared by the leaves by the process of photosynthesis. The food prepared by the leaves is in the form of simple sugars (glucose). No other part of the plant can prepare food. So, all the parts of a plant require food for getting energy, maintenance and growth. That is why; the food prepared by the leaves is transported to all the other parts of a plant through phloem. The transportation of food from the leaves to other parts of the plant is called translocation.
Why translocation of food is necessary for plants?
The food made by the leaves of the plant is necessary to be translocated to all the other parts of the plant so that every part of the plant can utilize the food for obtaining energy as well as for growth and repair.
Test Your Understanding and Answer These Questions:
- Describe transport of food in plants.
- Define translocation? Why translocation is necessary for plants?
- What do you mean by ‘translocation’ with respect to transport in plants?