Difference between Apoplast and Symplast Pathway
The apoplast vs symplast pathways are discussed below.
Basis of Comparison |
Apoplast Pathway |
Symplast Pathway |
---|---|---|
Components |
Cell walls and extracellular spaces |
Protoplast |
Living or non-living components |
Non-living components of the plant |
Living components of the plant |
Speed of water movement |
Water moves rapidly |
Water moves slowly in comparison to the apoplast pathway |
Transportation path |
Water and its solutes flow through the cell wall and extracellular space of plants |
Water and its solutes flow through the cytosol and plasmodesmata of plants |
Resistance |
Lower resistance to water flow |
Water movement is resisted to some extent. |
Effect of metabolic state |
Water movement is not affected. |
The flow of water is affected. |
Permeability |
Not selective. Any substance can pass through. |
Selective. Only certain substances can pass through. |
Energy requirement |
Passive transport, does not require energy to transport substances. |
Active transport, requires energy to transport substances. |
Efficiency |
Less efficient, involves a longer route, and is not selective. |
More efficient, involves a shorter route, and is selective |
Process involved |
Passive diffusion |
Osmosis |
Significance |
Important for the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil and movement of water and nutrients in plants from the roots to the shoots through the xylem |
Important for the distribution of water and nutrients throughout the plant and movement of signalling molecules and hormones from the leaves to the rest of the plant through the phloem. |
Apoplast and Symplast
The main difference between the Apoplast and Symplast Pathways is the water and minerals transport route. The apoplast pathway involves passive transport of water in which water rapidly flows through the apoplast of the root including the cell wall and intercellular spaces due to hydrostatic pressure. On the other hand, the symplast pathway involves active transport of water in which water initially enters the cell sap, and moves from one cell to another through protoplasm based on the osmotic gradient.
In this article, we will read about the difference between the apoplast and symplast pathway, the apoplast pathway definition and symplast pathway definition, how water is transported through the apoplast and symplast, and the similarities between the apoplast and symplast pathway.
Table of Content
- Difference between Apoplast and Symplast Pathway
- What is Apoplast?
- What is Symplast?
- Water Transport in Plants Through Apoplast and Symplast
- Similarities between Apoplast and Symplast Pathway