Sinks

Definition

Sinks are plant tissues or organs that consume or store carbohydrates and other solutes transported from sources. They are crucial for the distribution of nutrients within the plant, supporting growth and development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Common sinks include roots, fruits, seeds, and young leaves.
2. Sinks receive nutrients via phloem transport facilitated by pressure-flow mechanism.
3. The sink strength depends on its ability to uptake and utilize the transported solutes.
4. Sink-source relationships can change based on developmental stages and environmental conditions.
5. Hormones like auxins and cytokinins play a role in regulating sink activity.

Review Questions

• What are examples of sinks in a plant?
• How does the pressure-flow mechanism facilitate nutrient transport to sinks?
• How do changes in developmental stages affect sink-source relationships?

Related terms

Sources: Tissues or organs that produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis, typically mature leaves.

Phloem:

The vascular tissue responsible for the transport of organic nutrients, particularly from sources to sinks.

Pressure-Flow Mechanism: A hypothesis explaining how sap moves through the phloem driven by osmotic pressure differences.