Which cells are responsible for the movement of photosynthates through a plant?

a. tracheids, vessel elements

b. tracheids, companion cells

c. vessel elements, companion cells

d. sieve-tube elements, companion cells

A tissue is composed of similar cells and their similar origin from extracellular matrices that together carry out a specific function. In the anatomy of plants, tissues are broadly categorized into three tissue systems: the epidermis, the vascular tissue, and the ground tissue. Organ systems are then formed by the functions carried out by a group of tissues.

Vascular tissues are responsible for the transportation system in plants. The tissue is composed of two types of cells such as xylem and phloem. The vascular bundle is the arrangement of xylem and phloem in the stem which run up and down the length of the stem. Phloem tissue is composed of mainly four components such as; companion cells, phloem parenchyma, sieve-tube cells, and phloem fibers. Sieve-tube elements are arranged end to end forming a sieve tube that is responsible for the transportation of nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins. Companion cells also support sieve-tube cells in this process.

Tracheids and vessel elements are xylem components that help in the conduction of water and dissolved minerals.

Tracheids are xylem elements and companion cell works with sieve-tube elements of phloem.

Vessel elements are part of xylem cells.

Therefore, option ‘d’ is correct.

Sieve-tube elements and companion cells work alongside in transportation of photosynthates.