Q29 / 200 · NEET 2007 · Botany
Passage cells are thin-walled cells found in:
- Aphloem elements that serve as entry points for substance for transport to other plant parts.
- Btesta of seeds to enable emergence of growing embryonic axis during seed germination
- Ccentral region of style through which the pollen tube grows towards the ovary
- Correct answerDendodermis of roots facilitating rapid transport of water from cortex to pericycle.
Solution
The innermost layer of the cortex is called endodermis. It comprises a single layer of barrel shaped cells without any intercellular spaces. Endodermis is a single layered structure which separates cortex from stele. There are both thick walled and thin-walled cells in the endodermis. The thin-walled cells are known as passage cells or transfusion cells which are opposite the protoxylem groups. These cells help in rapid transport of water from cortex to pericycle.
Related Theory
Apoplast includes the non-living components of a plant such as cell walls and the intracellular spaces. In contrast, in the symplast pathway, water moves by the osmosis since water moves across the cell membranes. (Ref. to Fig. 25.4)


Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.