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Phloem Loading

Active phloem loading uses the apoplast pathway and uses energy and membrane-bound co-transporter protein and a proton pump to move sucrose into the sieve tubes.Passive phloem loading transports sucrose freely through plasmodesma in the symplast pathway.Apoplast Pathway1. The apoplast is the spaces outside of plant cell membranes within the cell walls where water and dissolved material can flow and diffuse freely.2. Glucose is manufactured in the chloroplasts by photosynthesis.3. This is converted to sucrose in the cytoplasm.4. The sucrose diffuses out of the photosynthesising cells into the spaces within the cell walls by facilitated diffusion down its concentration gradient.5. Hydrogen ions are actively transported from the companion cells into the spaces within the cell walls using ATP.6. The hydrogen ions then diffuse back into the companion cells through co-transporter proteins down a concentration gradient.7. Sucrose is co-transported into the companion cells with the hydrogen ions and then diffuses into the sieve elements through the plasmodesmata.

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Specification: AQA Biology (7401), AS-level, 3.3.4.2 Mass transport in plants. Topic: Mass Transport in Plants.

Key terms in this lesson

ATP
Adenosine triphosphate, a nucleotide that acts as the immediate energy source in cells, releasing energy when hydrolysed to ADP and phosphate.
diffusion
The net passive movement of molecules or ions from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration, down a concentration gradient.
facilitated diffusion
The passive movement of molecules or ions down their concentration gradient through protein channels or carrier proteins.
co-transport
The movement of one molecule or ion across a membrane, using a carrier protein, coupled to the facilitated diffusion of another down its concentration gradient.
phloem
Plant vascular tissue, made of sieve tube elements and companion cells, that transports organic solutes such as sucrose around the plant.

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All 15 lessons in Mass Transport in Plants · All AQA AS-level Biology topics