Phloem, a complex vascular tissue found in plants, plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients and other organic molecules produced during photosynthesis from the source to the sink. Unlike the xylem, which transports water and minerals from the roots upwards, phloem functions bidirectionally, ensuring that nutrients flow both upwards and downwards throughout the plant. Comprised of specialized cells called sieve tube elements, phloem constitutes an interconnected network of elongated cells aided by companion cells, which provide metabolic support. This sophisticated system allows plants to distribute sugars, amino acids, hormones, and other vital substances necessary for growth, development, and defense mechanisms. Understanding the functioning of phloem is crucial to unravel the complexities of plant physiology.#16#