Water moves up the stem of plants through a process called transpiration pull. As water evaporates from the leaves, it creates a suction force that draws more water up from the roots through the xylem vessels. The water movement relies on the properties of cohesion, where water molecules stick together, and adhesion, where they stick to the sides of the xylem vessels. Together, these forces are able to pull a column of water up from the roots to the leaves through capillary action and root pressure also contribute to water flow up the plant.

1. How water passes up the stem Movement of water and mineral ions through the xylem

6. Water

7. Water Water is drawn up the xylem

8. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm

9. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall

10. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata

11. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma

12. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole

13. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell

14. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel

15. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space

16. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space

17. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space

18. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space Apoplast pathway (cell wall)

19. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space Apoplast pathway (cell wall)

20. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space Apoplast pathway (cell wall)

21. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space Apoplast pathway (cell wall)

22. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space Apoplast pathway (cell wall) Symplast pathway (cytoplasm)

23. Water Water is drawn up the xylem cytoplasm cell wall plasmodesmata stoma vacuole epidermal cell xylem vessel air space Apoplast pathway (cell wall) Symplast pathway (cytoplasm) Evaporation of water vapour