How are water and ions absorbed in roots? Explain with a diagram.

(N/A) $ \Rightarrow $ Most of the water flow in the roots occurs via the apoplast since the cortical cells are loosely packed and hence offer no resistance to water movement.
$ \Rightarrow $ However, the inner boundary of the cortex, the endodermis, is impervious to water because of a band of suberised matrix called the casparian strip.
$ \Rightarrow $ Water molecules are unable to penetrate this layer, so they are directed to wall regions that are not suberised, into the cells proper through the membranes. The water then moves through the symplast and again crosses a membrane to reach the cells of the xylem. The movement of water through the root layers is ultimately symplastic in the endodermis.
$ \Rightarrow $ This is the only way water and other solutes can enter the vascular cylinder.
$ \Rightarrow $ Once inside the xylem, water is again free to move between cells as well as through them.
$ \Rightarrow $ In young roots, water enters directly into the xylem vessels and/or tracheids. These are nonliving conduits and so are parts of the apoplast.
$ \Rightarrow $ The path of water and mineral ions into the root vascular system is shown in the figure.
$ \Rightarrow $ Symbiotic association of root and fungi: Some plants have additional structures associated with them that help in water (and mineral) absorption.
$ \Rightarrow $ Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association of a fungus with a root system.
$ \Rightarrow $ The fungal filaments form a network around the young root or they penetrate the root cells. The hyphae have a very large surface area that absorbs mineral ions and water from the soil from a much larger volume of soil than a root can do alone.
$ \Rightarrow $ The fungus provides minerals and water to the roots; in turn, the roots provide sugars and $N$-containing compounds to the mycorrhizae.
$ \Rightarrow $ Some plants have an obligate association with mycorrhizae. For example, $Pinus$ seeds cannot germinate and establish without the presence of mycorrhizae.