Definition:
In the realm of botany, sap is the nutrient-rich fluid that circulates through the vascular system of plants, serving as their lifeblood. This complex fluid contains water, minerals, sugars, and other essential nutrients necessary for a plant’s growth and development.
Sap moves through a plant’s xylem and phloem, facilitating processes like photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and structural support.
Examples:
1. Maple Sap: During the spring, maple trees produce sap that can be harvested to make maple syrup. The sap, extracted from the tree’s trunk, is boiled down to concentrate its sugars, resulting in the beloved sweet syrup.
2. Xylem and Phloem: In trees and plants, the xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, while the phloem carries the sap, laden with sugars produced during photosynthesis, from the leaves to other parts of the plant.