How Do Plants Suck Up Water?

Roots also provide a system that anchors plants to the soil.

All living organisms, including plants, need water for their survival. Plant cells grow by taking in water from the soil through their roots. As the cells grow, they expand until the plant reaches its maximum size.

Function

A plant's roots come into direct contact with the soil, and in an ideal environment, the soil is composed of pockets that hold water. This water is absorbed by the tiny root hairs that grow off the plant's main roots. The more root hairs a plant has, the more water it can absorb, says the Michigan State University Extension.

Significance

New cells are formed at the plant's root tips, which move more deeply into the soil as they grow. The roots are designed to allow water molecules to pass in and out of their tissues with no resistance.

Considerations

Woody xylem tissue makes up the center of a plant's root, and it carries water to the stems. The cells around the xylem, called the endodermis, are divided by a waxy substance call the Casparian Strip, which keeps water inside the cells. Water must enter this strip before moving into the roots.

References

• Science Project Ideas: Water & Food: How Plants Eat and Drink
• Michigan State University Extension: Water and Plant Growth