Final answer:
Water and the solutes dissolved in it move from areas of higher pressure to lower pressure through osmosis, a type of diffusion influenced by water potential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water moves from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure, and this movement can also transport the solutes dissolved in it. This process is a result of osmosis, a type of diffusion that occurs across a semipermeable membrane. Osmosis is driven by differences in water potential, which is influenced by both solute concentration and pressure. Water will naturally move towards an area with lower water potential, which can be due to either higher solute concentration or lower pressure on that side of the membrane. As water moves, it carries with it the dissolved solutes, which is an essential mechanism in various biological systems, including the transport of water and minerals in plant xylem.