A living continuum of cells connected by plasmodesmata is

Options

A. Dermal tissue
B. Ground complex
C. Donnan free space
D. Symplast.

Answer

To solve the question "A living continuum of cells connected by plasmodesmata is", we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Plasmodesmata**:
- Plasmodesmata are microscopic channels that traverse the cell walls of plant cells and allow for transport and communication between them. They connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells.

2. **Identifying the Concept of Continuum**:
- A "living continuum of cells" refers to a continuous network of living cells that are interconnected, allowing for the movement of substances and signals.

3. **Differentiating Transport Pathways**:
- In plants, there are two primary pathways for transport:
- **Apoplastic Pathway**: This is the movement of water and solutes through the cell walls and intercellular spaces, bypassing the cytoplasm.
- **Symplastic Pathway**: This involves the movement of substances through the cytoplasm of cells, connected by plasmodesmata.

4. **Connecting Plasmodesmata to Symplast**:
- Since plasmodesmata connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, they facilitate the symplastic pathway. Thus, a living continuum of cells connected by plasmodesmata is referred to as the "symplast".

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is "symplast".

### Final Answer:
The living continuum of cells connected by plasmodesmata is called **symplast**.