Phloem: Mass Flow (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 9700

Cara Head

Written by: Cara Head

Reviewed by: Alistair Marjot

Updated on

Phloem: mass flow

  • The mass flow hypothesis was the model initially used to explain the movement of assimilates in the phloem tissue

  • The simple model consisted of:

    • Two partially permeable membranes containing solutions with different concentrations of ions (one dilute the other concentrated)

    • These two membranes were placed into two chambers containing water and were connected via a passageway

    • The two membranes were joined via a tube

    • As the membranes were surrounded by water, the water moved by osmosis across the membrane containing the more concentrated solution

    • This forced the solution towards the membrane containing the more dilute solution (where water was being forced out of due to hydrostatic pressure)

  • Scientists now support a modified version of this hypothesis – the pressure flow gradient

Diagram of water flow between two sections, A and B, showing osmosis, hydrostatic pressure, phloem, and xylem processes in partially permeable membranes.
An illustration of Münch’s model for mass flow in phloem tissue

Pressure (hydrostatic) flow gradient

  • Phloem sap (containing sucrose and other organic solutes) moves by mass flow up and down the plant

    • The advantage of mass flow is that it moves the organic solutes faster than diffusion

  • In xylem tissue the pressure difference that causes mass flow occurs because of a water potential gradient between the soil and leaf (this requires no energy input by the plant)

  • However in phloem tissue energy is required to create pressure differences for the mass flow of the organic solutes

  • The pressure difference is generated by actively loading sucrose into the sieve elements at the source (usually a photosynthesising leaf or storage organ) which lowers the water potential in the sap

  • This results in water moving into the sieve elements as it travels down the water potential gradient by osmosis

  • The presence of water within the sieve elements increases the hydrostatic or turgor pressure at the source and as solutes (e.g. sucrose) are removed / unloaded from the sieve elements causing water to follow by osmosis at the sink (creating a low hydrostatic pressure), a hydrostatic pressure gradient occurs

  • The pressure difference between the source and the sink results in the mass flow of water (containing the dissolved organic solutes) from the high hydrostatic pressure area to the low hydrostatic pressure area

  • The mass flow of organic solutes within the phloem tissue occurs above and below the sources (which is typically photosynthesising leaves). Therefore sap flows upwards and downwards within a plant

Diagram illustrating phloem translocation of sucrose from leaves to roots. Shows movement of water, solutes, and pressure changes in plant vessels.
The translocation of phloem sap (sucrose and other organic solutes) due to a hydrostatic pressure gradient from the source to the sink

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember that the source is not necessarily the leaves and the sink is not necessarily the roots.

Phloem sap moves up and down the plant (although it will only move in one direction per sieve tube).

The hydrostatic pressure gradient is dependent on water moving in and out of the xylem vessels by osmosis.

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology & Psychology Content Creator

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding

Alistair Marjot

Reviewer: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Environmental Systems and Societies & Biology Content Creator

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.