Question

Plants are immobile, meaning they cannot move, therefore they must use their roots in order to collect the water that they need to survive. As the roots suck up the water from the ground, the water is pulled up the stem and in to the leaves. Which property of water is responsible for this phenomenon?

Answer 1

Water moves through a plant due to the cohesion and adhesion properties of water molecules, as well as the transpiration process, which creates a negative pressure that draws more water up from the roots.

Step-by-step explanation:

The property of water responsible for its movement through a plant from the roots to the leaves is a combination of cohesion, adhesion, and transpiration. Cohesion refers to the tendency of water molecules to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding. Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other surfaces, which helps water climb up the plant tissue surfaces. Through the process of transpiration, water vapor is lost from the leaves, creating a negative pressure that pulls more water up from the roots through the xylem vessels. Additionally, water potential and the principle of osmosis drive the water into the root hairs and contribute to the overall movement of water within the plant.