Water is absorbed from the soil through root hair cells. Water moves by osmosis from root cell to root cell until it reaches the xylem. It is transported through the xylem vessels up the stem to the leaves. It evaporates from the leaves (transpiration). The xylem tubes are made from dead xylem cells which have the cell walls removed at the end of the cells, forming tubes through which the water and dissolved mineral ions can flow. The rest of the xylem cell has a thick, reinforced cell wall which provides strength.