Water

Image

The root hair cells increase the surface area for the absorption of water.

Image

Water then passes from cell to cell by osmosis until it reaches the centre of the root. The water enters xylem vessels in the root and then travels up the stem. Water enters the leaves and evaporates. It then passes through the stomata by diffusion.

Remember that it is osmosis that brings the water into the leaf and into the xylem, but water does not move up the xylem by osmosis. It is ‘sucked up’ by evaporation from the leaves.

Image

Various environmental conditions can affect the transpiration rate.