Question

What is meant by the Apoplast pathway? Why does it occur in the cortex and not in Endodermis?

Answer 1

Apoplast pathway: Inside the plant, the space outside the plasma membrane is known as apoplast in which materials can easily diffuse.

1. This pathway is interfered by casparian strips present in the roots and air space between the plant cells and by the plant cuticle.
2. It do not occur in endodermis because the cells of endodermis is made up of cellulose and the presence of suberised matrix called casparian strip is impermeable and prevents the movement of water, so it is occurs in cortex area.