IPA: //ˌproʊtəˈfloʊɛm//
KK: /proʊtəˌfloʊɛm/
The initial type of phloem tissue that develops from the procambium, characterized by thin-walled cells and typically found in areas of active growth.
During the early stages of plant development, protophloem plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients.
Protophloem is formed from "proto-" (meaning first or primary) and "phloem" (from Greek "phloios", meaning bark). The term refers to the first-formed phloem tissue in plants, which is responsible for transporting nutrients and sugars.
Think of 'proto-' meaning first, and 'phloem' relating to the bark of a plant — this helps you remember that protophloem is the first layer of tissue responsible for nutrient transport.