The correct sequence of path of water from the soil into the xylem of the root is:
The correct sequence of path of water from the soil into the xylem of root is
Soil - epiblema - cortex - endodermis - pericycle - protoxylem -metaxylem
Plants absorb water and minerals from the soil through the roots. The water is absorbed by root hairs into the epiblema (epidermal cells) and they become turgid.
The turgor pressure in these cells increases and the diffusion pressure deficit decreases. However the diffusion pressure deficit in the adjacent cells of the cortex is higher, as a result of which the water flows from the epidermal cells into the cortical cells.
The entry of water in the cortical cells decreases the diffusion pressure deficit. The water molecules keep moving from cells having higher diffusion pressure deficit to lower. This eventually causes the entry of water into the endodermis followed by pericycle and ultimately enters into the xylem.
Xylem of roots show exarch condition where the protoxylem is towards the periphery and metaxylem towards the centre. The water first enters the protoxylem and then into the metaxylem. From xylem, the water moves up and reaches the other plant parts.