Pathways of water movement of absorption of water and minerals is more specifically the function of the root hairs, that are present Once, water is absorbed by the root hairs, it can move deeper into root layers by two in millions, at the tips of the roots distinct pathways he apoplast is the system of adjacent cell walls, that is continuous throughout the plant, except at the casparian strips of the endodermis in the roots. The apoplastic movement of water occurs exclusively through the intercellular spaces and the wall of the cells Movement through the apoplast does not involve crossing the cell membrane. This movement is dependent on the gradient.
The apoplast does not provide any barrier to water movement and water movement is through mass flow.
As water evaporates into the intercellular spaces or the atmosphere, tension develops in the continuous stream of water in the apoplast; hence, the mass flow of water occurs due to the adhesive and cohesive properties of water. The symplastic system is the system of interconnected protoplasts. Neighbouring cells are connected through cytoplasmic strands that extend through plasmodesmata During symplastic movement, the water travels through
the cells- through their cytoplasm; while intercellular movement is through the plasmodesmata. Water has to enter the cells through the cell membrane, hence, the movement is relatively slower. Movement is again down a potential gradient.
