Which property of water allows it to move from the roots of a tree to the leaves?

• A. Cohesion
• B. Adhesion
• C. Evaporation
• D. Surface tension

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the properties of water: Water has several key properties, including cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and evaporation, which are crucial for its movement in plants.
2. Define cohesion: Cohesion refers to the attraction between molecules of the same substance. In water, this is due to hydrogen bonding, which helps water molecules stick together.
3. Define adhesion: Adhesion is the attraction between molecules of different substances. In the context of plants, it refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to the walls of plant vessels.
4. Explain the role of adhesion in plants: Adhesion allows water to climb up the plant vessels (xylem) by sticking to the walls, which is essential for transporting water from roots to leaves.
5. Connect adhesion to water movement in plants: The combination of adhesion and cohesion (capillary action) enables water to move against gravity from the roots to the leaves, facilitating essential processes like photosynthesis.