Select incorrect statement regarding water absorption in plants

Options

A. Root hairs are thin-walled slender extensions of root epidermal cells
B. Water is absorbed along with mineral solutes, by the root hairs, purely by diffusion
C. Movement through the apoplast involve crossing the cell membrane.
D. Once water is absorbed by the root hairs, it can move deeper into root layers by apoplast pathway or symplast Pathway

Answer

To solve the question regarding the incorrect statement about water absorption in plants, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Structure of Root Hairs**:
- Root hairs are extensions of root epidermal cells that increase the surface area for water and nutrient absorption.

2. **Identify the Mechanism of Water Absorption**:
- Water is absorbed by root hairs primarily through the process of diffusion. This process allows water to move from an area of higher concentration in the soil to an area of lower concentration inside the root hairs.

3. **Differentiate Between Apoplast and Symplast Pathways**:
- After water is absorbed by the root hairs, it can move deeper into the root through two pathways:
- **Apoplast Pathway**: This pathway involves the movement of water through the cell walls and intercellular spaces without crossing the cell membrane.
- **Symplast Pathway**: This pathway involves the movement of water through the cytoplasm of the cells, which requires crossing the cell membrane.

4. **Evaluate the Statements**:
- Review the statements provided in the question:
- **Statement 1**: Root hairs are thin-walled extensions of root epidermal cells. (Correct)
- **Statement 2**: Water is absorbed along with mineral solutes by the root hairs purely by diffusion. (Correct)
- **Statement 3**: Water is absorbed through the apoplast pathway by crossing the cell membrane. (Incorrect)
- **Statement 4**: Water moves through both apoplast and symplast pathways. (Correct)

5. **Identify the Incorrect Statement**:
- The incorrect statement is the third one, which claims that water is absorbed through the apoplast pathway by crossing the cell membrane. This is incorrect because the apoplast pathway does not involve crossing the cell membrane.

### Conclusion:
The incorrect statement regarding water absorption in plants is the third statement.

---