The apoplast is a network of cell walls and intercellular spaces in plants that allows for the movement of water and solutes. It serves as a pathway for substances to travel outside the living cells, facilitating the transport of nutrients and waste products. This system is crucial for maintaining plant health and supporting various physiological processes. In the apoplast, water and dissolved minerals can move freely without crossing cell membranes. This contrasts with the symplast, another transport pathway where substances move through the cytoplasm of living cells. Together, the apoplast and symplast help regulate the flow of materials within the plant, ensuring efficient nutrient uptake and distribution.