Transport systems in plants: phloem and translocation
I can explain how sugars are transported through phloem by translocation.
Transport systems in plants: phloem and translocation
I can explain how sugars are transported through phloem by translocation.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Sugars, amino acids and other organic substances (nutrients) are transported in phloem.
- Translocation starts at a source, such as a leaf where sugars are made.
- Sugars are transported into phloem by active transport across the membranes of the living phloem cells.
- Water moves into the phloem cells by osmosis, which increases the pressure and pushes the sugars along the phloem tube.
- Sugars are transported out of the phloem by active transport at a sink, such as a developing root, stem or flower.
Keywords
Phloem - specialised vessels in plants that transport sugar, amino acids and other nutrients
Translocation - the process of transporting sugars and nutrients through the phloem
Source - the location that the sugars or nutrients are loaded during translocation
Sink - the location that the sugars or nutrients are unloaded during translocation
Active transport - the net movement of particles against a concentration gradient using energy
Common misconception
Students get confused between transport in the xylem (water and minerals) and the phloem (sugars).
These sections are covered in separate lessons, each with clear explanations and reinforcing tasks to support learning.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Transport systems in plants: phloem and translocation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Transport systems in plants: phloem and translocation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Transport and exchange surfaces in plants unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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None required.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the loss of water from a plant's leaves
the transport of sugars and other nutrients in plants
specialised tissue for the transport of water and minerals
specialised tissue for the transport of sucrose and amino acids
glucose and nitrate ions
thousands of glucose molecules joined together
glucose and magnesium
