Aadya Isai

Plants use water in photosynthesis, the process that makes their food. Inside the leaves, sunlight gives energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide from the air to form glucose—the plant’s food. The oxygen is released into the air. So, without water, plants cannot make energy or grow.

Water also transports minerals and nutrients. The roots absorb water from the soil, and the minerals in the soil dissolve in it. This mixture travels through tiny tubes called xylem all the way up to the leaves. The movement happens because water naturally moves from areas of more water (in the soil) to areas of less water (inside the plant).

Another vital job of water is to keep the plant firm and upright. Each cell in a plant holds water that presses against its walls. This pressure, called turgor pressure, keeps stems and leaves stiff. If the plant loses too much water, the pressure falls, and the plant wilts because its cells shrink.

Water also controls the plant’s temperature and water balance through transpiration. When water evaporates from small pores in the leaves, it cools the plant and creates a pull that draws more water upward from the roots. This upward movement forms a continuous stream, known as the transpiration pull, which also helps move minerals to the top of the plant.

Lastly, water is needed for seed germination. When a seed absorbs water, it swells and softens, allowing the tiny plant inside to start growing. Enzymes become active, and the stored food inside the seed begins to change into energy for the new plant.