What is the driving force for the movement of solutes in the phloem of plants?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The driving force for the movement of solutes in the phloem of plants is a difference in water potential (Ψ) between the source, where sugars are produced, and the sink, where sugars are used or stored. This creates a pressure gradient that drives the movement of solutes from high pressure at the source to low pressure at the sink. Gravity, root pressure, transpiration of water through the stomata, and adhesion of water to phloem sieve tubes are not the primary driving forces for phloem transport.

What Is the Driving Force for the Movement of Solutes