Assertion: Water and mineral uptake by root hairs from the soil occurs through apoplast until it reaches endodermis.
Reason: Casparian strips in endodermis are suberized.
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
(d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
(e) If the Assertion is incorrect but the Reason is correct.
Correct option: (a)
Explanation:
The radial and the inner walls of the cells of the endodermis are greatly thickened. These are called as casparian strips and these are impervious to water. Apart from the casparian strips, and suberization also does not allow the water to reach the endodermis. Hence, water moves through the apoplast which are passage cells.