Glucose, produced during photosynthesis, isn't directly transported throughout the plant. Instead, it's converted into sucrose, which is then transported via the phloem.
Here's a breakdown of the transport process:
Sucrose Transport in Phloem Vessels
Sucrose is the form in which sugars are mainly transported. The sucrose is transported around the plant in phloem vessels (reference). This is necessary because:
- Efficient Distribution: Sucrose is transported to all cells of the plant.
- Respiration: The transported sucrose is converted back into glucose for respiration when needed in cells throughout the plant.
In summary, plants convert glucose to sucrose for efficient transportation via phloem, and then convert it back to glucose for use in respiration in cells.
