symplasts

Symplasts are a concept in plant biology referring to a continuous mass of cytoplasm that is not separated by a tonoplast membrane. This cytoplasm is interconnected via plasmodesmata, which are small channels that traverse the cell walls of adjacent plant cells. Therefore, symplasts represent the interconnected living protoplasts of a plant tissue or organ, allowing for the relatively free movement of water, ions, and small molecules throughout this region.

Movement through the symplast pathway is often considered a form of intracellular transport. Substances entering the symplast typically do so by crossing the plasma membrane of an epidermal cell or root hair. Once inside, they can then diffuse from cell to cell through the plasmodesmatal connections. This pathway is significant for the uptake and translocation of solutes within the plant, playing a crucial role in nutrient and water transport from the soil into the vascular tissues. The symplast pathway can be distinguished from the apoplast pathway, which involves movement through the cell walls and intercellular spaces.