Deduce THREE factors that influence the upward movement of water in plants.

• Transpiration pull: Water evaporates from leaves, creating a negative pressure that pulls water up.
• Root pressure: Water moves into the roots by osmosis, creating a positive pressure that pushes water up.
• Capillary action/Cohesion-tension: Water molecules stick to each other (cohesion) and to the xylem walls (adhesion), allowing water to move up narrow tubes.

Xylem vessels are specialized vascular tissues that form continuous tubes from the roots to the leaves. They are responsible for the transport of water and dissolved minerals upwards throughout the plant.

• Water is essential for photosynthesis, acting as a reactant.
• Water provides turgor pressure to maintain plant rigidity and support.
• Water acts as a solvent for transporting nutrients and sugars.
• Water helps regulate plant temperature through transpiration.