Yes,
Phloem cells are alive.
No, mature phloem tissue is not dead upon maturity. Phloem tissue remains alive and functional, aiding in the transport of sugars and other organic compounds throughout the plant. The cells in mature phloem tissue are specialized for this function and typically stay alive for an extended period.
Phloem is a living tissue in plants, responsible for transporting nutrients, particularly sugars produced through photosynthesis, from leaves to other parts of the plant. The primary components of phloem, such as sieve elements and companion cells, are alive at maturity, allowing for the active transport of substances. However, the sieve tube elements lose their nucleus and most organelles as they mature, but they still function as living cells.
No xylem die at maturity but phloem stays alive all the time the plant is alive.
Mature phloem cells are regulated by surrounding companion cells, which supply them with necessary proteins and nutrients. These companion cells are connected to the phloem cells by plasmodesmata, allowing for communication and control despite the phloem cells lacking a nucleus.
the cells of phloem are the only ones with cytoplasm
The phloem consists mainly of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem fibers, and parenchyma cells. Sieve tubes are responsible for transporting sugars and other organic compounds, while companion cells support sieve tube function. Phloem fibers provide structural support, and parenchyma cells store nutrients.
No, phloem cells do not contain chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are typically found in plant cells that are involved in photosynthesis, such as leaf cells, while phloem cells are specialized for transporting nutrients, such as sugars, throughout the plant.
Phloem tissue consists of: conducting cells, generally called sieve elements; parenchyma cells, including both specialized companion cells or albuminous cells and unspecialized cells; and supportive cells, such as fibres and sclereids.(attribution: wikipedia, Phloem)
i) Sieve tubes (ii) Companion cells (iii) Phloem parenchyma (iv) Phloem fibres
The main difference between mature xylem and phloem cells lies in their functions and structural characteristics. Mature xylem cells are primarily responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, and they are typically dead at maturity, forming hollow tubes for efficient flow. In contrast, mature phloem cells transport organic nutrients, particularly sugars, throughout the plant, and they remain alive at maturity, featuring living cells like sieve tubes and companion cells that facilitate this process.
There is a layer of living Phloem and there is a layer of living xylem. Both these layer produce dead tissue, the Phloem produces bark (dead protective outer layer), the xylem produces wood (dead supportive inner layer). Both the wood and the bark are dead. It is only the two thin layers of Phloem and Xylem that are alive.
leaves