Apoplast transmembrane and symplast pathways in plants

Answer 1

Apoplast and symplast pathways are two transport pathways that play a crucial role in the movement of water and nutrients in plant tissues.

The apoplast pathway involves the movement of water and solutes through the cell walls and extracellular spaces of plant cells. This pathway is important for the movement of water and nutrients between cells, as well as for the exchange of gases with the external environment. In the apoplast pathway, water and solutes move through spaces called the apoplast, which includes the cell walls and spaces between cells. The apoplast pathway is largely driven by osmotic pressure and is generally considered to be a passive process.

The symplast pathway, on the other hand, involves the movement of water and solutes through the cytoplasm of plant cells. In this pathway, water and solutes move through the cytoplasm and plasmodesmata, which are channels that connect adjacent plant cells. The symplast pathway is important for the movement of water and nutrients between cells, as well as for the communication and signaling between cells. The movement of water and solutes in the symplast pathway is largely controlled by the activity of membrane transport proteins and is considered to be an active process.

Both the apoplast and symplast pathways are interconnected and work together to ensure the efficient transport of water and nutrients throughout the plant. The apoplast pathway is important for the long-distance transport of water and solutes, while the symplast pathway is important for the short-distance transport and communication between cells. Together, these pathways allow plants to efficiently transport water and nutrients to all parts of the plant, ensuring their growth and development.