What are sieve tubes ? Explain.

Explanation

(i) Sieve tubes are long tube like conducting elements in the phloem formed from a series of cells called sieve tube elements.
(ii) The sieve tube elements are arranged one above the other and form vertical sieve tube.
(iii) The end wall contains a number of pores and it looks like a sieve. So it is called as sieve plate.
(iv) The sieve elements show nacreous thickenings on their lateral walls.
(v) they may possess simple or compound sieve plates.
The function of sieve tubes are believed to be controlled by companion cells.
(viii) In mature sieve tube, nucleus is absent. it contains a lining layer of cytoplasm. A special protein (P. Protein = Phloem Protein ) called slime body is seen in it.
(viii) In mature sieve tubes, the pores in the sieve plate are blocked by a substance called callose (callose plug ). The conduction of food material takes place through cytoplasmic strands. Sieve tubes occur only in Angiosperms.