Which process do plants use to absorb water through the roots?

Which process do plants use to absorb water through the roots?

• A. Active transport
• B. Transpiration
• C. Filtration
• D. Osmosis/diffusion

Answer: (D)

Water uptake by plant roots occurs through osmosis, the passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water potential (the soil) to an area of lower water potential inside root cells. Roots create this gradient by accumulating minerals and solutes, which lowers their internal water potential and pulls water in through the membranes of root hairs. Water moves into the cells and toward the xylem, aided by water-channel proteins called aquaporins, without needing energy. This mechanism contrasts with active transport, which moves solutes using energy; transpiration, which is about water loss from leaves; and filtration, which isn’t how plants take up water. So, osmosis is the best explanation for how water is absorbed through the roots.

Water uptake by plant roots occurs through osmosis, the passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water potential (the soil) to an area of lower water potential inside root cells. Roots create this gradient by accumulating minerals and solutes, which lowers their internal water potential and pulls water in through the membranes of root hairs. Water moves into the cells and toward the xylem, aided by water-channel proteins called aquaporins, without needing energy. This mechanism contrasts with active transport, which moves solutes using energy; transpiration, which is about water loss from leaves; and filtration, which isn’t how plants take up water. So, osmosis is the best explanation for how water is absorbed through the roots.