Final answer:
The cohesive and adhesive properties of water, known as capillary action, are essential for the movement of water and nutrient uptake in plants. These forces allow water to rise against gravity, delivering essential minerals from the roots to the leaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water is vital to plants because it serves as one of the reactants in the process of photosynthesis. The A) Cohesive and Adhesive properties of water, which are collectively known as C) Capillary Action, allow water and dissolved nutrients to be transported from a plant's roots to its leaves. These properties enable the movement of water against gravity, which is essential for plant survival.
Cohesion refers to the tendency of water molecules to stick to each other, while adhesion describes the ability of water molecules to stick to other surfaces. These combined effects contribute to water's capillary action, allowing it to move through the narrow xylem vessels from the soil, up the roots, and throughout the plant. The water carries with it essential inorganic minerals required by the plant for growth and development, such as nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). Without the cohesive and adhesive properties of water, plants would not be able to receive the water and dissolved minerals they require.