Question

The path of water from the soil into the xylem of the root is:

• A. Soil $\to$ cells of cortex $\to$ root hair $\to$ phloem
• B. Soil $\to$ root hair $\to$ cells of cortex $\to$ xylem
• C. Soil $\to$ root hair $\to$ xylem $\to$ cells of cortex
• D. Soil $\to$ root hair $\to$ phloem $\to$ cells of cortex

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Soil $\to$ root hair $\to$ cells of cortex $\to$ xylem

The correct path of water is:

Soil $\to$ root hair $\to$ cells of cortex $\to$ xylem

Water is passively transported into the roots and then into the xylem via cells of cortex. Plants absorb water from the soil by osmosis. Root hair cells are adapted for this by having a large surface area to speed up osmosis.The forces of cohesion and adhesion cause the water molecules to form a column in the xylem. Water moves from the xylem into the mesophyll cells, evaporates from their surfaces and leaves the plant by diffusion through the stomata.