Subject: Biology 0 Likes
Which property of water allows it to move upward from the roots of a
Which property of water allows it to move upward from the roots of a tree to its leaves?
Alternatives
A) High specific heat
B) High heat of vaporization
C) Cohesion
D) Solvent of life
Solution
Correct answer: C) Cohesion.
Cohesion is the property of water that allows it to resist external forces and maintain its shape against gravity. In the case of a tree, cohesion allows water to move upward from the roots to the leaves through a process called capillary action. This is because water molecules are attracted to each other and to the cellulose molecules in the plant's cell walls, creating a continuous column of water that can rise against gravity.
The other options are not correct because:
High specific heat (A) refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance, which is not relevant to water's ability to move upward in a tree.
High heat of vaporization (B) refers to the energy required to change a substance from a liquid to a gas, which is also not relevant to this process.
Solvent of life (D) is a descriptive phrase that refers to water's ability to dissolve and transport nutrients and other substances, but it is not a specific property that allows water to move upward in a tree.
Subject: Biology
Related topics: Botany, Chemistry of Life