[Campbell Biology P.852] In plant transport, what is the main distinction between the apopla... | Practice Question

In plant transport, what is the main distinction between the apoplast and symplast pathways?

  • A: Apoplast involves movement through the cell walls and extracellular spaces, while symplast involves movement through the cytosol connected by plasmodesmata.
  • B: Apoplast is for water transport, and symplast is for sugar transport.
  • C: Apoplast is an active transport pathway, while symplast is a passive transport pathway.
  • D: Apoplast only transports substances over short distances, while symplast transports over long distances.

Explanation

The apoplast consists of the cell walls and extracellular spaces, allowing water and solutes to move freely without crossing cell membranes. The symplast consists of the cytosol of all living cells and the plasmodesmata that connect them, enabling substances to move from cell to cell through the cytoplasm.