Salts and water are absorbed in the roots and transported to leaves by

Answer Details

Salts and water are absorbed in the roots and transported to the leaves by osmosis through the xylem tissues. The xylem is a specialized tissue in plants that transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. Water and mineral ions, such as salts, are absorbed by the roots through osmosis, which is the movement of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. As the concentration of water and minerals in the roots increases, it creates a pressure gradient that forces the water and minerals up through the xylem vessels. Diffusion, on the other hand, is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. While diffusion can occur in plant tissues, it is not the primary mechanism for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. The phloem, another specialized tissue in plants, transports sugars and other organic molecules from the leaves to other parts of the plant. While osmosis and diffusion are involved in the transport of these molecules through the phloem, they are not involved in the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. In summary, salts and water are absorbed in the roots and transported to the leaves by osmosis through the xylem tissues.