Final answer:
Water moves from the root cortex to the xylem of leaves through osmosis and the xylem vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the roots of plants, water enters the root cortex through the process of osmosis. From the root cortex, water moves into the root xylem. Once in the root xylem, water is transported upwards to the leaves through a combination of capillary action and transpiration. The xylem forms a network of vessels that extends from the roots to the leaves, allowing water to move and be distributed throughout the plant.
Learn more about Water movement in plants