What is the function of phloem parenchyma?
Answers
Explanation:
The main function of phloem parenchyma is storage of food material and function of phloem rays is conduction of food in radial direction.
★ Phloem parenchyma:-
→ It is made up of elongated, tapering cylindrical cells which have dense cytoplasm and nucleus.
→ The cell wall is composed of cellulose and has pits through which plasmodesmatal connections exist between the cells.
→ Phloem parenchyma is absent in most of the monocotyledons.
★ Function:-
→ It stores food material and other substances like resins, latex and mucilage.
→ Phloem fibres:- These are made up of sclerenchymatous cells.
→ Generally absent in primary phloem but are found in the secondary phloem.
→ These are much elongated, unbranched and have pointed, needle like apices. Cell wall is quite thick.
→ At maturity, these fibres lose their protoplasm and become dead.
→ Phloem fibres of jute, flax and hemp are usedcommercially.