Which plant tissue transports sugars throughout the plant?

• A. Xylem
• B. Phloem
• C. Cambium
• D. Epidermis

Answer: (B)

Sugars are moved through a specialized plant tissue called phloem. Phloem carries photoassimilates, mainly sucrose, from sources like leaves to sinks such as growing shoots, fruits, and roots. This transport, known as translocation, can move in multiple directions and relies on loading sugars into the phloem and drawing in water to generate the pressure that pushes the sap along the tubes of living cells, including sieve-tube elements supported by companion cells. In contrast, xylem moves water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant, mostly upward, and is composed of dead cells. Cambium is a growth layer that produces xylem and phloem over time, while epidermis is the outer protective tissue. So the tissue responsible for transporting sugars throughout the plant is the phloem.