A terrestrial plant absorbs water from the soil to maintain cell turgor and facilitate photosynthesis. What is the correct sequence of physiological steps tracing the pathway of water through the plant from initial absorption to transpiration into the atmosphere?
- 1Root hair cells absorb water from the surrounding soil through semipermeable membranes via osmosis.
- 2Water moves across the root cortex and enters the vascular xylem vessels.
- 3Water ascends through stem xylem driven by cohesion, adhesion, and transpirational pull.
- 4Water evaporates from leaf mesophyll cells and diffuses out through open stomatal pores.
Answer
Root hair absorption via osmosis -> Movement across root cortex into xylem -> Upward ascent through stem xylem -> Evaporation from mesophyll and diffusion through stomata.
Water moves through a vascular plant along a unidirectional path known as the transpiration stream. First, root hair cells take up water from soil by osmosis. Second, water travels through the root cortex into the xylem vessels. Third, cohesive and adhesive forces pull the water column upward through the stem xylem. Finally, water evaporates from internal leaf mesophyll cells and diffuses into the atmosphere via open stomatal pores.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Transpiration stream and water transport pathway through plant vascular tissues (xylem)
Estimated Time:1m 0s