Question

Root hairs absorb water from the soil through

• A. diffusion
• B. imbibition
• C. osmosis
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is C

osmosis

The correct option is C.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Osmosis is the process of the movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher solvent to a region of lower solvent concentration.
2. Osmosis is of great importance in biological processes.
3. As the soil has a higher concentration of water as compared to the root hair cells thus water enters the roots from root hairs through osmosis occurs.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
2. Diffusion helps in the movement of substances in and out of the cells.
3. The molecules move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until the concentration becomes equal throughout the solution.

Option B:

Imbibition is a type of diffusion where the water (liquid) is absorbed by the solid particles (plants, seeds) causing an enormous increase in volume.

Final answer: Root hairs absorb water from the soil through osmosis.