QuestionAugust 20, 2025

Explain how water's polarity and hydrogen bonding allows water to travel from the roots to the leaves of a plant, against the force of gravity.

Explain how water's polarity and hydrogen bonding allows water to travel from the roots to the leaves of a plant, against the force of gravity.
Explain how water's polarity and hydrogen
bonding allows water to travel from the roots to
the leaves of a plant, against the force of gravity.

Solution
4.2(271 votes)

Answer

Water's polarity and hydrogen bonding enable cohesion and adhesion, facilitating capillary action and transpiration pull, which allow water to travel from roots to leaves against gravity. Explanation 1. Define Water's Polarity Water is a polar molecule with a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms. 2. Explain Hydrogen Bonding The polarity of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds, where the positive hydrogen end of one water molecule attracts the negative oxygen end of another. 3. Describe Cohesion **Cohesion** is the attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding, allowing them to stick together. 4. Describe Adhesion **Adhesion** is the attraction between water molecules and other substances, such as the walls of plant vessels. 5. Explain Capillary Action **Capillary action** occurs when adhesion between water and vessel walls is stronger than cohesion among water molecules, pulling water upwards. 6. Discuss Transpiration Pull **Transpiration pull** is created when water evaporates from leaves, creating a negative pressure that pulls more water upward through the plant.

Explanation

1. Define Water's Polarity<br /> Water is a polar molecule with a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms.<br /><br />2. Explain Hydrogen Bonding<br /> The polarity of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds, where the positive hydrogen end of one water molecule attracts the negative oxygen end of another.<br /><br />3. Describe Cohesion<br /> **Cohesion** is the attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding, allowing them to stick together.<br /><br />4. Describe Adhesion<br /> **Adhesion** is the attraction between water molecules and other substances, such as the walls of plant vessels.<br /><br />5. Explain Capillary Action<br /> **Capillary action** occurs when adhesion between water and vessel walls is stronger than cohesion among water molecules, pulling water upwards.<br /><br />6. Discuss Transpiration Pull<br /> **Transpiration pull** is created when water evaporates from leaves, creating a negative pressure that pulls more water upward through the plant.
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