What Causes the "Pulling" of a Water Column from the Soil

Question

What causes the "pulling" of a water column from the soil to the leaves?
A) hydrogen bonds
B) gravity
C) hardiness
D) active transport

Accepted Answer

The "pulling" of a water column from the soil to the leaves is caused by hydrogen bonds between water molecules. This process is known as transpiration and occurs due to the evaporation of water from the leaves, creating a negative pressure gradient that pulls water up through the plant's xylem. Gravity plays a role in keeping the water column moving in one direction, but it is not the primary force behind the upward movement of water. Hardiness refers to a plant's ability to tolerate adverse conditions, while active transport involves the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient with the use of energy.