Given below are two statements related to the apoplast pathway: Statement (I): When some amount of water passes across the root through the cell wall and the intercellular spaces of cortical cells of root, it is called apoplast pathway. Statement (II): An additional apoplastic route that allows direct access to the xylem and phloem is along the margins of secondary roots. In light of the above statements, choose the

Step-by-step solution

Statement (I) is correct: The apoplast pathway involves the movement of water exclusively through the non-living parts of the plant, which include the intercellular spaces and the cell walls. In the root cortex, water moves freely through this pathway because the cortical cells are loosely packed and offer no resistance to water movement. Statement (II) is correct: The inner boundary of the cortex, the endodermis, usually blocks the apoplastic movement of water into the vascular cylinder due to the presence of the