How do companion cells load sucrose into sieve tube elements?
The sucrose id first loaded into the
companion cell by
active transport, using a protein molecule in the cell membrane as carrier or transporter. The latter pump out hydrogen ions actively. This creates a
high concentration of H
+ ions outside the companion cell.
Now the H
+ ions diffuse back into the companion cell using a protein carrier down its concentration gradient. The latter move sucrose at the same time as the H
+ ions. But the sucrose moves
against its concentration gradient.
In other words, sucrose is being
co-transported along with the H
+ ions. The sucrose moves into the adjacent
sieve tube elements through the
plasmodesmata.
Hope it helps