Answer: more dilute.
- A more dilute
- B more concentrated
- C exactly identical
- D entirely gaseous
Correct answer: A. more dilute
Explanation: The dilute (hypotonic) soil solution has a higher water potential, so water moves into the root cells.
Water can travel through cell walls (apoplast) or cell-to-cell through the cytoplasm (symplast) - but the Casparian strip at the endodermis blocks the apoplast route entirely, forcing everything through a selectively permeable membrane (symplast) before it can enter the xylem.
Concept context
Water and mineral absorption, the ascent of sap, transpiration, and phloem transport via the pressure flow hypothesis.