The movement of materials through a plant occurs by translocation and the transpiration stream - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2006 - Paper 1

Translocation refers to the movement of sugars and nutrients through the phloem, requiring energy to actively transport these substances from sources (like leaves) to sinks (such as roots or growing tissues). This process often involves mechanisms like companion cells and the use of ATP.

In contrast, the transpiration stream involves the passive movement of water and dissolved minerals upward from the roots to the leaves through xylem vessels, driven primarily by the evaporation of water from the surface of leaves. This movement relies on the physical properties of water, such as cohesion and adhesion, acting under the influence of transpiration, which creates a negative pressure in the xylem.