14. Explain why xylem transport is unidirectional and phloem transport bi-directional.
Leaves are the site of food production for plants as they carry out photosynthesis. The major function of phloem is to conduct the food from the source to the sink. Since, here the source is single and the sink can be multiple i.e. roots, branches, flowers etc. the conduction of food takes place in multiple directions. During spring also, the process of food conduction reverses and the food stored in the sink is mobilised toward the growing buds of the plant, through the phloem. Since the food is being conducted in many directions. The movement of food in the phloem is called bidirectional (i.e., upward and downward). The transport of water, on the other hand, takes place only from the roots to the leaves. Therefore, the movement of water and nutrients in the xylem is unidirectional.