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Phloem and Sugar Transport

Phloem and Sugar Transport

Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.

The Apoplast and Symplast

The Apoplast and Symplast

Plant growth depends on its ability to take up water and dissolved minerals from the soil. The root system of every plant is equipped with the necessary tissues to facilitate the entry of water and solutes. The plant tissues involved in the transport of water and minerals have two major compartments - the apoplast and the symplast. The apoplast includes everything outside the plasma membrane of living cells and consists of cell walls, extracellular spaces, xylem, phloem, and tracheids. The...

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.

Glucose Transporters

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:

Membrane Proteins

Membrane Proteins

Plasma membranes have integral transmembrane proteins involved in facilitated transport. These proteins are collectively referred to as transport proteins, and they function as either channels for the material or as carriers themselves. Channel proteins have hydrophilic domains exposed to the intracellular and extracellular fluids and a hydrophilic channel through their core that provides a hydrated opening for solutes to pass through the membrane layers. Passage through the channel allows...

Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine

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Complex carbohydrates consumed cannot be absorbed into the small intestine in their original form. First, they must be hydrolyzed to a monosaccharide form such as glucose or galactose. These monosaccharides are then transported across the intestinal membrane and into the blood via transcellular transport. The intestinal epithelial cells allow the movement of these monosaccharides with a defined 'entry' through membrane transporter proteins present on their apical membrane and 'exit' via the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Published on: September 22, 2023

Maize SUT1 functions in phloem loading.

Thomas L Slewinski¹, Anshu Garg, Gurmukh S Johal

¹Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

Plant Signaling & Behavior

|April 21, 2010

Summary

Maize sucrose transporter 1 (ZmSUT1) is crucial for phloem loading in leaves. Mutants show sugar buildup, impacting growth and photosynthesis, confirming ZmSUT1's essential role in sugar transport.

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Dicot sucrose transporter (SUT) functions in phloem loading are known.
The role of SUTs in monocot phloem loading remained unclear.

Discussion:

Genetic evidence implicates ZmSUT1 in maize phloem loading.
Mutant phenotypes include leaf carbohydrate hyperaccumulation and altered biomass partitioning.
ZmSUT1 mutations cause reduced chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance.

Key Insights:

A second mutant allele (sut1-m4) confirmed ZmSUT1's role in phloem loading.
The sut1-m4 mutant exhibits sugar secretion from hydathodes.
Both alleles represent null mutations, validating ZmSUT1's function.

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

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Published on: September 22, 2023

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Published on: February 8, 2019

Outlook:

ZmSUT1 is essential for efficient sucrose phloem loading in maize leaves.
Understanding ZmSUT1 function can inform strategies for crop yield improvement.
Further research may explore ZmSUT1 regulation and interactions.