2.53 Uptake of Water

Explain how water is absorbed by root hair cells.

Roots branch out over a wide surface area to find water source. The epidermis of the root is lined with root hair cells. Root hair cells branch out, also over a wide surface area. Minerals are actively transported into the root hair cell, which then allows osmosis to occur and bring water into the cell. This is because the soil water around the root hair cell is now dilute making the water move into the more concentrated area inside the root hair cell.