* Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration.
* Root cells have a higher concentration of solutes (dissolved substances) than the soil water surrounding them. This creates a concentration gradient for water.
* The cell membrane acts as a semi-permeable membrane, allowing water to pass through while regulating the movement of solutes.
* Water moves from the soil (high water concentration) into the root cells (low water concentration) to balance the concentration gradient, driven by the osmotic pressure.
This process is crucial for plants to absorb water and essential minerals from the soil, which is necessary for growth and survival.
