Question

Which water is absorbed by plants?

Hint:

Capillary water is the most available form of water for plant roots, while gravitational water drains away and hygroscopic water is too tightly bound to the soil particles for absorption.

Answer 1

Plants acquire water from the soil, a solution rich in minerals and nutrients indispensable for their development.

Explanation:

• Soil Water: This refers to the moisture content within the soil, which plant roots absorb. It originates from precipitation, irrigation, and subterranean water flow. Soil water contains dissolved essential minerals, ions, and nutrients vital for plant functions such as photosynthesis, cellular expansion, and nutrient translocation.
• Absorption Mechanism: Water enters plant roots via osmosis, a passive process where water migrates from an area of higher concentration in the soil to an area of lower concentration within the root cells. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining the plant's hydration equilibrium.
• Root Hairs: These diminutive extensions of root epidermal cells significantly enhance water absorption by increasing the root's surface area.

Additional Information:

• Water and Nutrients: Concurrently with water, critical nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are absorbed from the soil, facilitating plant growth and maturation.
• Capillary Action: Post-absorption by the roots, water ascends through the plant's xylem vessels through capillary action. This upward movement delivers water to the leaves and other plant organs, supporting their metabolic activities.

In essence, the water absorbed by plants from the soil is fundamental for their growth, the assimilation of nutrients, and their overall physiological processes.