Water reaches xylem from root hairs by

Options

A. Apoplast pathway
B. Symplast pathway
C. Both (1) & (2)
D. Imbibition

Answer

To answer the question "Water reaches xylem from root hairs by," we can break down the process into several steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Root Hairs**:
- Root hairs are specialized structures on the roots of plants that increase the surface area for water and nutrient absorption. They are the first point of contact with the soil moisture.

2. **Pathways of Water Movement**:
- Water can move from root hairs to the xylem through two main pathways: the apoplastic pathway and the symplastic pathway.

3. **Apoplastic Pathway**:
- The apoplastic pathway involves the movement of water through the cell walls and intercellular spaces. This pathway does not involve crossing any cell membranes and allows water to move quickly through the dead parts of the plant, such as the cell walls.

4. **Symplastic Pathway**:
- The symplastic pathway involves the movement of water through the cytoplasm of the cells. Water moves from one cell to another through plasmodesmata (small channels that connect plant cells). This pathway is more selective as it involves crossing cell membranes.

5. **Endodermis Layer**:
- The endodermis is the innermost layer of the cortex that surrounds the vascular tissue (including the xylem). At this point, the water must enter the symplastic pathway because the Casparian strip (a band of cell wall material) prevents water from moving through the apoplastic pathway.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, water reaches the xylem from root hairs by both the apoplastic and symplastic pathways.

### Final Answer:
Water reaches the xylem from root hairs by both the apoplastic and symplastic pathways.

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