No, phloem is not part of transpiration.
Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems, and flowers. This process is primarily driven by the water potential difference between the soil and the atmosphere. Xylem, the vascular tissue responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, is the primary component involved in transpiration.
Phloem, on the other hand, is the vascular tissue responsible for transporting sugars (produced during photosynthesis) from the leaves to other parts of the plant, a process called translocation. Phloem's main function is nutrient transport, not water transport. Therefore, it does not directly participate in the transpiration stream.
In summary:
- Transpiration: Water movement and evaporation, primarily involving xylem.
- Phloem: Transport of sugars (translocation), not directly involved in transpiration.
