Water Transport Pathway in Plant Roots

Steps:

• Water enters root hairs by osmosis from soil.
• It diffuses across root cortex cells toward the center.
• Water passes the endodermis via the Casparian strip.
• It enters xylem vessels for upward transport to the shoot.

Why C is correct:

• Xylem vessels form the vascular tissue that conducts water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant, as defined in plant anatomy.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Mesophyll cells are in leaves, involved in photosynthesis, not root water uptake.
• B: Phloem cells transport sugars, not water, from leaves to other parts.
• D: Stomata are leaf pores for gas exchange, where water exits as vapor, not enters from roots.

Final answer: C