Function of companion cells is
Loading of sucrose into sieve elements by passive transport
Loading of sucrose into sieve elements
Providing energy to sieve elements for active transport
Providing water to phloem
The correct option is Option 2) Loading of sucrose into sieve elements.
Companion cells are specialized parenchyma cells found in the phloem of vascular plants. They are closely associated with sieve tube elements, which are responsible for transporting sugars and other organic molecules throughout the plant.
One of the main functions of companion cells is to assist in the loading of sucrose (a type of sugar) into the sieve tube elements. Companion cells are connected to sieve tube elements by plasmodesmata, which are channels that allow for the exchange of materials between cells. The companion cells are responsible for actively loading sucrose into the sieve tube elements, using energy from ATP. This process is known as active transport.
Therefore, Option 2 is the correct statement describing the function of companion cells, which is the loading of sucrose into sieve elements.