During stage 4, which statement best describes what happens to sugars and water?

• A. Sugar and water import continues via the phloem
• B. No more sugar or water are imported; water loss concentrates sugars
• C. Sugar import continues but water is not transported
• D. Sugar import stops and water is exported

Answer: (B)

In late fruit development the berry has finished accumulating new sugars and water from the plant. The import of sugars ceases, and the water supply to the berry also declines. Meanwhile, water continues to leave the fruit through the skin and surface tissues, so the juice becomes more concentrated as the fruit ripens. That combination—no further import of sugar or water and ongoing water loss—explains why sugars become concentrated, making that statement the best description. If sugars and water still kept being imported, the juice would not concentrate; if water weren’t lost, concentration wouldn’t occur; and while water loss is happening, it’s more accurate to describe it as transpirational loss rather than active export.