apoplast: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rare / TechnicalTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “apoplast” mean?
The non-living space surrounding plant cells, including cell walls and intercellular spaces, through which water and solutes can move.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The non-living space surrounding plant cells, including cell walls and intercellular spaces, through which water and solutes can move.
The extracellular structural and transport matrix in plants, distinct from the symplast (the living cytoplasmic continuum). It is a key pathway for water and mineral movement and serves as a site for defence responses and signalling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No substantive spelling or meaning differences.
Connotations
None beyond the technical definition.
Frequency
Equally rare and confined to the same academic/technical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “apoplast” in a Sentence
the apoplast of [plant/tissue]transport via the apoplastto move through the apoplastVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apoplast” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dye was seen to apoplastically diffuse through the tissue.
American English
- The pathogen apoplastically colonizes the xylem.
adverb
British English
- The ion moved apoplastically around the endodermal barrier.
American English
- The signal propagated apoplastically through the leaf mesophyll.
adjective
British English
- The apoplastic flow was measured using a pressure probe.
American English
- Researchers identified a key apoplastic protein involved in defence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in plant biology, botany, and agriculture research papers and textbooks. E.g., 'The study investigated heavy metal transport in the apoplast.'
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core terminology in plant physiology, phytopathology, and agronomy for discussing nutrient/water transport and plant-microbe interactions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apoplast”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apoplast”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apoplast”
- Using it to refer to animal tissues (incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'cytoplasm' or 'protoplast'.
- Mispronouncing as /eɪpəplɑːst/ (the first syllable is short 'a' as in 'apple').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The apoplast is specifically the space outside the living cytoplasm of plant cells, consisting of cell walls and intercellular spaces.
Yes, intercellular air spaces within the apoplast are crucial for gas exchange (e.g., oxygen and carbon dioxide) within plant tissues.
No. The term is exclusive to plant biology. The analogous concept in animals would be the 'extracellular matrix' (ECM), though its composition and function are different.
It serves as a major pathway for the passive movement of water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the xylem, and is a key site for plant defence against pathogens.
The non-living space surrounding plant cells, including cell walls and intercellular spaces, through which water and solutes can move.
Apoplast is usually technical / scientific in register.
Apoplast: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæp.ə.plɑːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæp.ə.plæst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a plant's APARTMENT (apo) made of PLASTER (plast) walls and hallways. The walls and hallways are the non-living structure (apoplast) connecting the living rooms (cells).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PLANT'S INFRASTRUCTURE: The apoplast is the city's water pipes and road system, while the symplast is the people inside the buildings communicating by phone.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary functional antonym of 'apoplast' in plant biology?