Phloem in gymnosperms has sieve cells and albuminous cells. It does NOT have sieve tube elements or companion cells. Those two are found only in angiosperms. Memory hook: "Gymno = Sieve cells + Albuminous cells" (S + A), while "Angio = Sieve Tube + Companion cell" (T + C).
Gymnosperm phloem uses sieve cells + albuminous cells; sieve tube elements and companion cells appear only in angiosperm phloem.
Your doubts, answered
Does phloem in gymnosperms have companion cells?
No. Gymnosperm phloem does NOT have companion cells. Instead it has albuminous cells (also called Strasburger cells). These albuminous cells do the same job that companion cells do in angiosperms. So the function is similar, but the cell type is different.
What exactly does phloem in gymnosperms lack?
It lacks TWO things: (1) sieve tube elements and (2) companion cells. This is the exact answer NEET tests. Gymnosperm phloem still has sieve cells, albuminous cells, phloem parenchyma and fibres. It only misses the sieve tube + companion cell pair.
What is the difference between sieve cells and sieve tubes?
Sieve cells (in gymnosperms) are long, narrow cells with sieve areas on their side walls, and they are NOT arranged end-to-end in tubes. Sieve tube elements (in angiosperms) are joined end-to-end to form long tubes, with sieve plates on their end walls. Sieve tubes are more advanced and more efficient.
What are albuminous cells and what do they do?
Albuminous cells are living cells found next to sieve cells in gymnosperm phloem. Since the mature sieve cell has no nucleus, the albuminous cell controls and supports it, loads sugar into it, and keeps it alive. This is the same role that companion cells play in angiosperms.
Why does the sieve cell need a helper cell at all?
Because the mature sieve cell (like the sieve tube element) loses its nucleus and most organelles. A cell with no nucleus cannot control its own activity. So a living helper cell, the albuminous cell (or companion cell in angiosperms), stays connected to it and runs it.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Gymnosperm phloem lacks only companion cells (so the answer is 'companion cells only'). ✓ Gymnosperm phloem lacks BOTH sieve tubes AND companion cells. Sieve cells and albuminous cells are present, but the sieve-tube + companion-cell pair is only in angiosperms. 🧠 NEET 2019 gave 'Companion cells only' as a trap option. Read the full pair: it is BOTH sieve tubes and companion cells.
Real NEET questions
NEET 2019
Phloem in gymnosperms lacks:
A · Albuminous cells and sieve cells
B · Sieve tubes only
C · Companion cells only
D · Both sieve tubes and companion cells ✓
Solution: Gymnosperm phloem is made of sieve cells and albuminous cells (albuminous cells functionally replace companion cells). It has neither sieve tubes nor companion cells, because those two are characteristic only of angiosperm phloem. So it lacks BOTH sieve tubes and companion cells. Options A, B and C are wrong because gymnosperms DO have sieve cells and albuminous cells, and they lack two structures, not one.
Solved Anatomy of Flowering Plants NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Do gymnosperms have phloem parenchyma and phloem fibres?
Yes. Gymnosperm phloem still contains phloem parenchyma and phloem fibres. The only elements missing are sieve tube elements and companion cells.
Are albuminous cells the same as companion cells?
No, they are different cell types, but they do the same function. Albuminous cells (gymnosperms) and companion cells (angiosperms) both support the enucleate conducting cell. NEET treats them as functional equivalents, not identical cells.
Are albuminous cells connected to sieve cells by plasmodesmata?
Yes. Albuminous cells stay closely connected to sieve cells and control them, just like companion cells stay connected to sieve tube elements in angiosperms.
What is the one-line answer for NEET?
Phloem in gymnosperms lacks both sieve tube elements and companion cells; it has sieve cells and albuminous cells instead.
