what can be the best function of the presence of casparian strip in root tissue ?
casparian strip is made of suberin, a waxy material that is impervious to water and dissolved minerals that is located in the transverse and radial walls of the endodermal cells. Casparian strips are waterproof bands which run around the cell wall of endodermal cells in plant roots. Their purpose is to force water which has been following the apoplastic pathway, into the living protoplast of the endodermal cell. Mineral ions in the water are actively transported into the xylem, meaning the xylem now has a lower water potential than the endodermal cell, causing the water to move into the xylem through osmosis.
how can they force? and water may also enter easily through symplastic pathway..then what is the need of their presence?
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