Path of water movement from soil to exarch xylem is

Options

A. Soil `rarr` root hair `rarr` cortex `rarr` pericycle `rarr` endodermis `rarr` metaxylem `rarr` protoxylem
B. Soil `rarr` root hair `rarr` cortex `rarr` endodermis `rarr` pericycle `rarr` protoxylem `rarr` metaxylem
C. Soil `rarr` root hair `rarr` epidermis `rarr` endodermis `rarr` phloem `rarr` xylem
D. Soil `rarr` root hair `rarr` epidermis `rarr` cortex `rarr` phloem `rarr` xylem

Answer

To determine the path of water movement from soil to exarch xylem, we can break down the process into several steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Water Absorption by Root Hairs**:
- Water is absorbed from the soil primarily through the root hairs, which are extensions of the epidermal cells of the roots.

2. **Movement to the Cortex**:
- After absorption, the water moves from the root hairs into the cortex of the root. The cortex is the region between the epidermis and the endodermis.

3. **Passage through the Endodermis**:
- The water then travels to the endodermis. The endodermis is the innermost layer of the cortex and contains Casparian strips, which regulate the flow of water and minerals into the vascular system.

4. **Entering the Pericycle**:
- From the endodermis, the water moves into the pericycle, which is the layer of cells just inside the endodermis.

5. **Movement to Protoxylem**:
- The water then enters the protoxylem, which is the first-formed xylem tissue and is located towards the periphery of the vascular bundle.

6. **Finally Reaching Metaxylem**:
- Finally, the water moves from the protoxylem into the metaxylem, which is located towards the center of the vascular bundle.

### Summary of the Path:
- Soil → Root Hairs → Cortex → Endodermis → Pericycle → Protoxylem → Metaxylem