Between apoplastic and symplastic mechanism which one requires active transport
The symplastic mechanism requires active transport.
In the symplastic mechanism, substances, such as ions and nutrients, move through the cytoplasm of cells. This movement occurs through plasmodesmata, which are small channels connecting adjacent plant cells. Active transport is necessary in this mechanism because the movement of substances against a concentration gradient requires the use of energy.
In contrast, the apoplastic mechanism involves the movement of substances through the cell walls and intercellular spaces, bypassing the cytoplasm of cells. Passive transport, such as diffusion, is primarily responsible for the movement of substances in the apoplastic pathway.
The apoplastic mechanism requires active transport, while the symplastic mechanism does not necessarily require active transport.
In the apoplastic mechanism, active transport is crucial for moving solutes across cell membranes within the apoplast, which is the extracellular space outside the plasma membrane and within interconnected cell walls. Active transport uses energy to pump ions or molecules against their concentration gradient, allowing them to move from higher to lower concentration.
On the other hand, the symplastic mechanism involves the movement of solutes through the symplast, which refers to the interconnected cytoplasm of plant cells via plasmodesmata. The movement within the symplast is facilitated by simple diffusion or facilitated diffusion, which do not require active transport.
However, it's important to note that the symplastic mechanism may still involve active transport in certain situations, such as when solutes need to move against their concentration gradient or when specific ions or molecules depend on active transport proteins for transport through the plasmodesmata.