Phloem fibers are described as narrow, therefore parts of phloem can be considered thin.
The phloem is a complex tissue in plants responsible for transporting sugars and other nutrients from the leaves (where they are produced through photosynthesis) to other parts of the plant. While the phloem as a whole isn't simply "thin" or "thick," some of its components are characterized by their dimensions:
- Phloem Fibers: As the provided reference states, phloem fibers are narrow and elongated. They provide structural support to the phloem tissue. The term "narrow" indicates a small diameter or width, meaning these fibers are thin.
- Sieve Tubes: These are the primary conducting cells of the phloem. They are joined end to end to form long tubes through which sap flows. While their diameter can vary, they are generally considered to be relatively thin-walled compared to other plant cells like xylem vessels.
- Other Phloem Cells: Phloem also contains parenchyma cells and companion cells. The dimensions of these cells can vary, but they generally aren't considered exceptionally thick.
Therefore, while not all components of phloem are necessarily "thin," the phloem fibers are specifically described as narrow, implying a thin structure.