What term describes the process of water movement from the roots to the leaves in plants?

The process that describes the movement of water from the roots to the leaves in plants is known as transpiration. This term refers specifically to the way water is absorbed by plant roots from the soil, transported through the plant via the xylem (the vascular tissue responsible for water conduction), and ultimately released as vapor into the atmosphere from small openings in the leaves called stomata.

Transpiration serves not only to transport water but also plays a crucial role in nutrient uptake and maintaining the plant's internal temperature. By facilitating the movement of water, transpiration helps to create a negative pressure that draws more water and nutrients upward from the roots, supporting the plant's overall health and growth.

The other terms, while related to plant functions, do not accurately describe this specific process. Photosynthesis refers to the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen—primarily occurring in the leaves. Respiration relates to the metabolic processes in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, also releasing carbon dioxide and water. Evaporation is a general term for the change of any liquid into vapor and is not specific to plants.