Question

Explain the movement of water cell to cell across the root from the soil to the xylem.

Answer 1

Hint: Water moves inside the cell due to its various properties and this movement is aided using various stresses produced. These properties of water are cohesion, adhesion, capillary action, and surface tension. This movement is aided using diffusion and osmosis.

Complete answer: The movement of water from the soil to the root and ultimately to the xylem travels from cell to cell using osmosis and diffusion.
The concentration of solutes in the soil as compared to that region of the root is far less, and hence the movement of water from the soil towards the roots takes place.
This movement is also aided by the stress produced due to the transpiration.
Further from the roots, the water moves into the xylem from where it travels to the various parts of a plant.

The transport of water from one cell to another occurs utilizing aquaporins, these are water channels that help in the transport of water from one cell to the other.
This movement of water is aided by the property of water molecules to show cohesion - an attraction in between water molecules, Adhesion - the force of attraction between water molecules and the xylem cells, and the surface tension.

Note: The movement of water inside cells can follow any pathway weather apoplastic or symplastic but the means of transport is by diffusion or osmosis only which is the movement of water molecules from an area of their higher concentration to their lower concentration and when the same occurs using a semipermeable membrane, it is known as osmosis.