Jan 11, 2011

Glossary

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Apoplast

Comprises the cell walls and the intercellular spaces in plant tissue

This contrasts with the symplast – the part of the tissue that connects the inside of the cells (protoplasts) via numerous thin tunnels. The symplast and apoplast form different pathways for transporting substances through the cell tissue. For instance, water can be taken up from the soil via the apoplastic pathway. In this case, the water is transported by molecules inside the cell walls. The symplastic pathway transports water that enters through the root hairs via connections between the protoplasts. The cell membrane regulates the exchange of substances between the symplast and apoplast.