Final answer:
Diffusion is the nonoxidative process by which small color molecules penetrate the cuticle to enter the cortex, moving from higher to lower concentration areas without energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nonoxidative process that allows small color molecules to penetrate the cuticle and enter the cortex is known as diffusion. This is a type of passive transport where molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the need for energy. Due to the size of the molecules and the nature of the plasma membrane, these small molecules are able to dissolve in the membrane and diffuse across it, which implies that the correct answer is c) Diffusion.
The nonoxidative process that uses large and small color molecules and allows small color molecules to penetrate the cuticle and enter the cortex is called Permeation. Permeation is a passive transport method of moving material through a membrane, such as the cell membrane, without requiring energy. It allows small color molecules to diffuse across the membrane and reach the cortex.