The translocation of substances inside a cell and over short distances in the symplast is due to the process of

Options

A. Osmosis
B. Imbibition
C. diffusion
D. none of the above .

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Translocation in Cells:**
- Translocation refers to the movement of substances within a cell. In this context, we are focusing on the movement of substances over short distances within the symplast, which is the interconnected cytoplasm of plant cells.

2. **Evaluating Possible Processes:**
- We need to consider the different processes that could facilitate this movement: osmosis, imbibition, and diffusion.

3. **Analyzing Osmosis:**
- Osmosis is the movement of water (solvent) from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane. However, since we are discussing translocation within a cell and there is no semi-permeable membrane separating the cytoplasm, osmosis is not the correct process.

4. **Analyzing Imbibition:**
- Imbibition is the process of water absorption by a substance due to surface attraction. It primarily refers to the uptake of water by solid substances (like seeds) and is not applicable to the movement of substances within the cytoplasm of a cell.

5. **Analyzing Diffusion:**
- Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. This process does not require a semi-permeable membrane and can occur in the cytoplasm of a cell. Since substances can move freely in the cytoplasm, diffusion is the correct process for translocation over short distances in the symplast.

6. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the translocation of substances inside a cell and over short distances in the symplast is due to the process of **diffusion**.

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