During phloem loading, sucrose is actively transported into the companion cells and sieve tubes. What is the immediate physiological consequence of this active loading at the source?

Options:

• A: It decreases the osmotic pressure inside the sieve tube, causing water to move out into the xylem.
• B: It creates a hypertonic condition inside the sieve tube, causing water to move from the adjacent xylem into the phloem by osmosis, increasing hydrostatic pressure.
• C: It initiates a purely passive diffusion of sucrose down its concentration gradient without requiring ATP.
• D: It causes the sieve tube elements to undergo rapid cell division to accommodate the high solute load.

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