Learn how plants use osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport to ingest water and mineral salt

In most land plants, oxygen and carbon dioxide enter through the leaves, while water and mineral salts enter through the root system. Substances can move into the root in several ways, with the principal method being osmosis.

During osmosis free-water molecules pass from the soil into the epidermal cells, using the root-hair membrane. Looking at this process at the molecular level, we see that the small water molecules pass easily through the selectively permeable membrane of the epidermal cells.

Diffusion of mineral salts occurs at the same time. Facilitated diffusion occurs when important molecules pass through the membranes via special holes called channels.

Active transport of other molecules may also take place in the root hair, depending on the needs of the plant. Active transport requires energy, as the required molecules must be pumped across the membrane against their concentration gradient.