Which of the following statements is true for phloem in plants?

Options

A. Phloem fibres are made up of collenchymatous cells
B. Sieve the elements are multicellular with wide lumen and rich cytoplasm
C. Companion cells help in maintaining the pressure gradient in sieve tubes
D. Phloem parenchyma is abundantly present in monocots

Answer

To determine which statement is true for phloem in plants, we need to analyze the provided options one by one.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Phloem Structure**:
- Phloem is a type of vascular tissue responsible for the transport of nutrients, particularly sugars produced by photosynthesis. It consists of different types of cells, including sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem fibers, and phloem parenchyma.

2. **Evaluating the First Statement**:
- The first statement claims that phloem fibers are made up of collenchyma cells.
- **Analysis**: Phloem fibers are actually made up of sclerenchyma cells, not collenchyma. Therefore, this statement is false.

3. **Evaluating the Second Statement**:
- The second statement suggests that the elements of phloem are multicellular with wide lumen and rich cytoplasm.
- **Analysis**: The sieve tube elements of phloem are indeed living cells, but they are not multicellular; they are elongated and have a narrow lumen. They also lack a nucleus at maturity. Thus, this statement is also false.

4. **Evaluating the Third Statement**:
- The third statement states that companion cells help in maintaining the pressure gradient in sieve tubes.
- **Analysis**: This statement is true. Companion cells are closely associated with sieve tube elements and play a crucial role in maintaining the pressure gradient necessary for the transport of sugars in phloem.

5. **Evaluating the Fourth Statement**:
- The fourth statement claims that phloem parenchyma is abundantly present in monocots.
- **Analysis**: Phloem parenchyma is more abundant in dicots than in monocots. In monocots, the phloem tissue is often reduced. Therefore, this statement is false.

### Conclusion:
The only true statement regarding phloem in plants is that companion cells help in maintaining the pressure gradient in sieve tubes.

### Final Answer:
**The correct statement is: Companion cells help in maintaining the pressure gradient in sieve tubes.**

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