In some plants, phloem cells are connected end-to-end by sieve plates, creating a direct connection between the cytoplasm of phloem cells. What is one possible benefit of having phloem cells connected in this manner?

Explanation:

This is because the sieve plate interconnected like that help in exchange of substances or transport of substances between element cell and it act as a barrier to prevent the sap from been loss when phloem is damaged or cut. The sieve plates form the sieve tube which is the conducting element of the phloem. It is formed from series of elongated cells that are interconnected by perforations in their walls.

allowed for the prediction of the properties of missing elements.