Mechanism of Water Transportation in Plants

The transportation of water from roots to leaves in plants is primarily facilitated by a process called transpiration pull. Here’s a simplified explanation based on the NCERT syllabus:

1. Absorption by Roots: Water is absorbed by root hairs from the soil through osmosis.
2. Movement through Xylem: Water moves from root hairs to the xylem (a type of vascular tissue) in the roots. Xylem vessels form a continuous network that extends from the roots to the leaves.
3. Capillary Action: Water moves up the xylem vessels due to capillary action, which is the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces.
4. Transpiration Pull: The major driving force is transpiration, which is the process of water evaporation from the leaf surface. The loss of water from the leaves creates a negative pressure (suction) that pulls water upward from the roots through the xylem.

Thus, water is transported from roots to leaves through a combination of osmosis, capillary action, and transpiration pull.