MHT CET Medical202622 April 2026Morning ShiftBiologyAnatomy of Flowering PlantsActual
An additional apoplastic route that allows direct access to xylem is along the secondary roots because they ______.
Options
- Ado not pass through endodermis
- Bhave plasmodesmata
- Cdevelop from pericycle
- Dare made up of non-living cells
Correct answer
C. develop from pericycle
Step-by-step solution
Secondary roots (lateral roots) originate from the pericycle, which is a layer of cells located just inside the endodermis. As these secondary roots grow outward, they break through the endodermis and its Casparian strip. This disruption creates a gap in the endodermal barrier, providing an additional apoplastic route that allows water and solutes direct access to the xylem, bypassing the Casparian strip. Answer: develop from pericycle