The movement of water in plants is primarily governed by which process?

The movement of water in plants is primarily governed by capillarity, which is the ability of water to move through small spaces in materials, such as soil and plant tissues. This process involves both adhesion and cohesion; adhesion is the attraction of water molecules to the walls of the plant’s xylem vessels, while cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules themselves. Together, these forces facilitate the upward movement of water from the roots to the leaves, allowing for essential functions such as photosynthesis and nutrient transport.

Capillarity is especially important for plants, as it helps them draw water from the soil through their root systems. The combination of these forces enables water to rise against gravity, ensuring that all parts of the plant can access the moisture needed for survival and growth.

In contrast, evaporation refers to the process of water changing from a liquid to a gas, which plays a role in transpiration but is not the primary mechanism of water movement within the plant itself. Infiltration involves water entering the soil, an essential aspect of the water cycle but not a direct process within the plant. Condensation is the transformation of water vapor back into liquid water, which affects atmospheric conditions rather than the internal mechanics of water movement in plants.