Question

Which of the following is the correct pathway of absorbed water in the roots of plants?

• A. Soil water $\to$ root hair cell $\to$ cortical cells $\to$ pericycle $\to$ passage cells $\to$ xylem
• B. Soil water $\to$ root hair cell $\to$ passage cells $\to$ cortical cells $\to$ xylem $\to$ pericycle
• C. Soil water $\to$ root hair cell $\to$ pericycle $\to$ cortical cells $\to$ passage cells $\to$ xylem
• D. Soil water $\to$ root hair cell $\to$ cortical cells $\to$ passage cells $\to$ pericycle $\to$ xylem

Answer 1

The correct option is D Soil water $\to$ root hair cell $\to$ cortical cells $\to$ passage cells $\to$ pericycle $\to$ xylem

• The water is absorbed by the plant cells from the ground to the upper parts of the plants.
• The flow of water is from the soil to the root hair cells by the process of imbibition, diffusion and then osmosis. The water moves from the root hair cells to cortical cells.
• There are suberised Casparian strips on the endodermis which blocks the path of water.
• There are passage cells in the endodermis layer facing the xylem vessels which allows the movement of the water. The water moves towards pericycle and then to the xylem vessels.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.