Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The movement of water in plants through xylem primarily occurs via passive transport. This process relies on the physical properties of water and the structure of the xylem rather than the expenditure of energy by the plant. Specifically, water moves from areas of higher concentration (in the soil) to areas of lower concentration (in the plant roots and leaves) due to differences in pressure generated by transpiration—when water vapor escapes from the stomata of leaves.

In passive transport, substances move along their concentration gradient without any metabolic energy input. In the case of xylem transport, cohesion and adhesion of water molecules play significant roles in maintaining the column of water within the xylem vessels, enabling stable and efficient water transport throughout the plant. This ensures that all plant tissues receive the water necessary for photosynthesis and nutrient transport, making passive transport the correct choice.