Here's how it works:

* Root hairs: Tiny, hair-like extensions on root cells increase the surface area for absorption.

* Osmosis: Water moves from the soil, where it's more concentrated, into the root cells, where it's less concentrated, through a process called osmosis.

* Xylem: Once inside the roots, water travels upwards through specialized vascular tissue called xylem, which acts like a plumbing system for the plant.

While leaves also absorb some moisture through tiny openings called stomata, this is a much smaller amount compared to the water absorbed through the roots.