Final answer:
The primary difference between the apoplast and the symplast is that the apoplast consists of nonliving spaces and cell walls, whereas the symplast consists of living cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary difference between the apoplast and the symplast is that the apoplast consists of nonliving spaces and cell walls, whereas the symplast consists of living cells. The apoplastic route involves transporting water and minerals through the apoplast, which includes cell walls, the xylem, and the intercellular space between cells. On the other hand, the symplastic route involves transporting water and minerals through the symplast, or cell cytoplasm, which is linked by plasmodesmata.