Name: Facilitated Diffusion: Transport in Plants
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 18 min 2 s
Description: Facilitated diffusion occurs when important molecules pass through the membranes via special holes called channels. Watch the video to learn more.

Question

Write about apoplast and symplast pathway in connection with long distance transport.

Accepted Answer

The movement of water in plants takes place through apoplast and symplast. The apoplast consists of nonliving components of the root that comprise free space i.e., cell walls, intercellular air spaces, and xylem vessels. The initial flow of water across the surface layer of root up to the innermost layer of the cortex is considered to be mainly through this pathway. The rapid movement of water molecules adjacent to the cell walls is called apoplast movement. It is a fast process.

The movement of water molecules through the cell sap of the cells and passing through the plasmodesmata is called symplast movement. It requires energy as it needs to pass through the membrane pores and cell sap. In this pathway, water enters from one cell to another by crossing the plasma membrane.

Symplast and apoplast pathways thus conduct water from root hair to cortex, then conducts through the passage cells of the casparian strip and then finally to the xylem. Through xylem, water is conducted to various tissues of the plant.

Write about apoplast and symplast pathway in connection with long distance transport.

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