Differentiate between apoplastic and smplastic mechanism

Answer 1

The apoplastic and symplastic mechanisms are two ways in which water and nutrients are transported through plant tissues.

Apoplastic mechanism:
1. The apoplast refers to the extracellular space in the plant tissues, including the cell walls and intercellular spaces.
2. In the apoplastic mechanism, water and nutrients move through the cell walls and intercellular spaces without crossing the plasma membrane.
3. This mechanism relies on the cohesive and adhesive properties of water, allowing it to move freely through the apoplast.
4. The apoplastic pathway is the primary route for water movement in the roots and stems of plants. It allows for faster and passive movement of water and nutrients.
5. However, substances that need to cross the plasma membrane, such as ions and certain organic molecules, must switch to the symplastic pathway.

Symplastic mechanism:
1. The symplast refers to the interconnected network of living plant cells through plasmodesmata, small channels present in the cell walls.
2. In the symplastic mechanism, water and nutrients move through the cytoplasm of the cells via plasmodesmata, crossing the plasma membrane multiple times.
3. This mechanism involves active transport processes and relies on the selective permeability of the plasma membrane to regulate the movement of substances.
4. The symplastic pathway is particularly important for the movement of substances that cannot freely move through the apoplast.
5. This mechanism allows for more control and regulation of water and nutrient uptake by the plant.

In summary, the apoplastic mechanism involves movement through the extracellular spaces of plant tissues, whereas the symplastic mechanism involves movement through the interconnected network of living cells via plasmodesmata. The apoplastic mechanism allows for faster and passive movement, while the symplastic mechanism involves more active and regulated transport.