The process of loading at the source produces a hypertonic condition in the phloem.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Phloem:**
- Phloem is a type of vascular tissue in plants responsible for the transport of nutrients, particularly sugars produced during photosynthesis, from the leaves (source) to other parts of the plant (sinks).

**Hint:** Recall that phloem is primarily involved in transporting food, especially sucrose, throughout the plant.

2. **Loading at the Source:**
- The process of loading refers to the movement of sucrose into the phloem from the source (usually the leaves). This process occurs through active transport, where energy is used to move sucrose against its concentration gradient.

**Hint:** Think about how plants utilize energy to move substances from areas of lower concentration to areas of higher concentration.

3. **Hypertonic vs. Hypotonic Conditions:**
- A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution, while a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes.
- When sucrose is loaded into the phloem, it increases the solute concentration within the phloem, creating a hypertonic environment relative to the surrounding tissues.

**Hint:** Remember the definitions of hypertonic and hypotonic solutions, as they are crucial to understanding the effects of solute concentration.

4. **Correcting the Statement:**
- The original statement claims that loading at the source produces a hypertonic condition in the phloem. This is indeed true because the addition of sucrose increases the solute concentration in the phloem, making it hypertonic compared to the surrounding tissues.

**Hint:** Consider how the concentration of solutes affects the movement of water and the overall pressure within the phloem.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the statement is true: "The process of loading at the source produces a hypertonic condition in the phloem."

**Hint:** Summarize the key points about the role of sucrose in creating a hypertonic environment in the phloem.

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