A few drops of sap were collected by cutting across a plant stem by a suitable method. The sap was tested chemically. Which one of the following test results indicates that it is phloem sap?
- Acidic
- Alkaline
- Low refractive index
- Absence of sugar
Answer
(2) Alkaline
Solution
Phloem sap carries food (mainly sucrose), along with amino acids, hormones and some minerals, from source to sink.
It is rich in sugars and other organic solutes, it has a high refractive index and is alkaline in nature (pH about 7.5–8.5).
Xylem sap (mainly water with dissolved minerals) is slightly acidic.
An alkaline test result indicates phloem sap.
Answer: (2)