OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What is translocation in plants?

1. Movement of water

2. Movement of food substances

3. Movement of minerals

4. Growth of roots

The correct answer is: Movement of food substances

Translocation in plants specifically refers to the movement of food substances, primarily sugars like sucrose, throughout the plant. This process occurs in the phloem, which is one of the two main types of vascular tissues. The movement within the phloem transports the products of photosynthesis from the leaves, where they are produced, to other parts of the plant, such as roots, stems, and fruits, where they are needed for growth, energy, and storage. This process is vital for the plant's overall functioning, as it ensures that energy-rich compounds are efficiently distributed to areas that require them, particularly during periods of growth or when the plant is developing fruits or flowers. Understanding translocation is essential for comprehending how nutrients are utilized by plants and how they respond to their environment. The other options refer to different processes: movement of water occurs mainly through the xylem and is essential for transporting nutrients and maintaining plant structure, the movement of minerals also primarily takes place through the xylem and is crucial for various plant functions, while growth of roots refers to the physical development of root systems rather than the transport of substances.