Question

The primary difference between apoplast and the symplast is that the
A. Apoplast is non living spaces and cell walls.
B. Apoplast relies on active transport.
C. Symplast is non living spaces and cell walls.
D. Apoplast prevents passive diffusion.

Answer 1

Hint: The apoplast is the space outside the plasma membrane within which the material can disperse freely.
The name apoplast was coined by Munch in 1930.
The symplast is the innermost side of the plasma membrane in which the water and low-molecular weight solutes are dispersed.

Complete answer:
We know apoplast is the space outside the plasma membrane within which the material can disperse freely.
- The apoplast route facilitates the transportation of water and solutes across an organ or tissue.
- The symplast is the innermost side of the plasma membrane in which the water and low-molecular weight solutes are dispersed.
- The movement of water in the symplastic pathway is assisted by cytoplasmic streaming.

Apoplast	Symplast
It is a non protoplasmic component of a plant including the cell wall and intracellular spaces.	It refers to the continuous arrangement of protoplasts of a plant, which are connected by plasmodesmata.
It consists of a cell wall and intracellular spaces.	It consists of protoplast.
It is composed of non living components.	It is composed of living components.
Water movement occurs by passive transport.	Water movement occurs by osmosis.
Water movement is rapid.	Water movement is slow.
Show less resistance to water movement.	Show more resistance to water movement.
Metabolic rate does not affect the water movement	Metabolic rate affects the water movement.

- Apoplast and symplast are two routes in plants which help in transportation of water from root hair cells to the xylem of the root.
- The main difference between apoplast and symplast is their mechanism of the water movement.

Hence, The correct answer is option (A).

Note: Translocation is the movement of materials in plants from the leaves to other parts of the plant. The entry of the water causes pressure to build and forces the water and dissolved materials to move through the phloem from the leaves into the rest of the plant. Where it can be stored or turned into energy.