9. By what process does water enter the roots/root hairs? A. Active transport B. Diffusion C. Transpiration D. Osmosis

## Step 1<br />The process by which water enters the roots or root hairs is known as osmosis. Osmosis is a type of passive transport that involves the movement of water molecules from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration across a semi-permeable membrane.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />In the context of plant roots, the soil surrounding the roots has a higher water concentration than the root cells. This creates a concentration gradient that drives the water molecules to move into the root cells.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The movement of water into the root cells is facilitated by osmosis. This process is essential for the plant's survival as it helps to maintain the water balance in the plant.