What is the function of phloem in plants?

The function of phloem in plants is to transport organic nutrients, primarily the sugars produced during photosynthesis in the leaves, to other parts of the plant, including stems, roots, and developing fruits. This process is essential for the growth and development of the plant, as it allows for the distribution of energy-rich compounds necessary for cellular respiration, growth, and other metabolic processes throughout all parts of the plant. The phloem achieves this transport through a type of flow known as translocation, which moves these nutrients from source tissues (usually leaves) to sink tissues (such as roots and growing shoots).

Other options refer to different functions or components of the plant system, such as xylem's role in water transport, structural elements like cellulose in cell walls for support, and chlorophyll's function in absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis, which do not pertain to the phloem's role. This underscores the specific and vital function of phloem in nutrient transport within the plant's vascular system.