Translocation Experiments

1.

Puncture Experiments
p h lo e m x y le m

If the phloem is punctured with a hollow tube then the sap

oozes

out,

showing

that

there

is

high

pressure

(compression) inside the phloem (this is how maple syrup

if p h lo e m is
p u n c tu re d s a p
oozes out

is tapped). If the xylem is punctured then air is sucked in,

showing that there is low pressure (tension) inside the
xylem. This illustrates the main difference between

if x y le m is
p u n c t u r e d a ir
is s u c k e d in

s te m

transport in xylem and phloem: Water is pulled up in the

xylem, sap is pushed down in the phloem.[1]
2.

Ringing Experiments
Since the phloem vessels are outside the xylem
le a v e
fo r a
w eek

vessels, they can be selectively removed by cutting a

ring in a stem just deep enough to cut the phloem but
not the xylem. After a week there is a swelling above

r in g o f
b a rk a n d
p h lo e m
re m o v e d

the ring, reduced growth below the ring and the

leaves are unaffected. This was early evidence that
sugars were transported downwards in the phloem.[1]
3.

Radioactive Tracer Experiments

Radioactive isotopes can be used trace precisely where different compounds are being
transported from and to, as well as measuring the rate of transport. The radioactivity can be
traced using photographic film (an autoradiograph) or a GM tube. This techniques can be used
to trace sugars, ions or even water.[1]
In a typical experiment a plant is grown in the lab and one leaf is exposed for a short time to
carbon dioxide containing the radioactive isotope

14

C. This

14

CO2 will be taken up by

photosynthesis and the 14C incorporated into glucose and then sucrose. The plant is then frozen
in liquid nitrogen to kill and fix it quickly, and placed onto photographic film in the dark. The
resulting autoradiograph shows the location of compounds containing 14C.
This experiment shows that organic compounds (presumably sugars) are transported downwards
from the leaf to the roots. More sophisticated experiments using fluorescently labelled
compounds can locate the compound specifically to the phloem cells.[1]

4.

Aphid Stylet Experiments

Aphids, such as greenfly, have specialised mouthparts called stylets,

s t y le t

p h lo e m

which they use to penetrate phloem tubes and sup of the sugary sap
therein. If the aphids are anaesthetised with carbon dioxide and cut off,

s te m

the stylet remains in the phloem so pure phloem sap can be collected
through the stylet for analysis. This surprising technique is more
accurate than a human with a syringe and the aphids enzymes ensure
that the stylet doesnt get blocked.[1]

Reference :
1. Module 3 - Physiology and Transport, AQA(B) AS Module 3:

a p h id