Water flows up a plant's stem against the force of gravity.

Question

In which of the following ways could the movement of water up a plant be modeled?
A.
Pour a glass of water on top of a towel that is spread out on a table.
B.
Place the tip of a sponge in water dyed with food coloring. Watch how the water moves up the sponge.
C.
Place a clear pipe in a small tub of water. Shake the tub back and forth. Watch how the water moves around the pipe.
D.
Blow through a clear straw in a glass of water. Observe the level of water inside the straw.

Answer 1

The best option to model the movement of water up a plant's stem against the force of gravity is:

B. Place the tip of a sponge in water dyed with food coloring. Watch how the water moves up the sponge.

This option effectively demonstrates capillary action, which is a process that occurs in plants where water is drawn up through tiny xylem vessels against gravity. The sponge acts like the plant's xylem, allowing the water to move upward as it absorbs moisture.

The other options do not accurately represent the process by which water moves up a plant.