What's symplast
The symplast is the interconnected network of living plant cells through which water, ions, and small molecules can move freely. It is one of the pathways for transport within a plant, along with the apoplast and transmembrane pathways. The symplastic pathway involves movement through plasmodesmata, which are channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells. In this pathway, substances can move from cell to cell without crossing any plasma membranes, allowing for efficient transport throughout the plant.
Symplast is a term used in plant biology to describe the interconnected network of living plant cells connected by plasmodesmata. Plasmodesmata are specialized channels that allow for communication and transport of various substances, such as water, nutrients, and hormones, between adjacent plant cells.
The symplast pathway refers to the movement of these substances through the interconnected network of living cells via plasmodesmata. This pathway is distinct from the apoplast pathway, which involves the movement of substances through the non-living extracellular spaces, such as cell walls and intercellular spaces. The symplast pathway is often involved in the transport of solutes, signaling molecules, and even pathogens within the plant body.
Overall, the symplast pathway plays a crucial role in maintaining plant homeostasis, as well as facilitating various physiological processes, including growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli.