Question:

The following are found translocated abundantly in phloem:
A. Aminoacids
B. Sucrose
C. Phosphorus
D. Potassium
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Xylem = Inorganic minerals + Water (unidirectional). Phloem = Organic solutes + Sugars (bi-directional). Potassium is the key mineral for phloem loading!
  • A, B and D only
  • B, C and D only
  • B and D only
  • A and D only
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Phloem sap is a concentrated solution used to transport organic and inorganic solutes from source (leaves) to sinks (roots, fruits). While water is the medium, specific solutes are "loaded" into the phloem.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

- Sucrose (B): The most abundant solute in phloem (0.5 to 1.0 M). It is the non-reducing sugar used for long-distance energy transport.
- Amino Acids (A): The second most abundant organic solute. Nitrogen is translocated primarily as amino acids like glutamine and asparagine.
- Potassium (D): The most abundant mineral cation in the phloem. It plays a role in osmoregulation and facilitates the "pressure-flow" mechanism of phloem transport.
- Phosphorus (C): Phosphorus is also mobile and found in phloem (as inorganic phosphate or organic sugar phosphates), but its concentration is usually much lower than that of Potassium or Amino acids. In some exam keys, the focus on "organic transport + major cation" leads to the exclusion of P in a 3-choice grouping. However, physiologically, all four are translocated. Based on the "abundant" criteria in standard exams like ICAR, the combination of organic molecules and the primary cation (A, B, D) is the most frequent correct choice.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The primary abundant solutes are Amino acids, Sucrose, and Potassium.
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