Rate of water absorption generally follows closely the rate of

Options

A. Transpiration
B. Photosynthesis
C. Respiration
D. Growth

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Water Absorption in Plants**: Water absorption in plants primarily occurs through the roots. The absorbed water is essential for various physiological processes, including photosynthesis and transpiration.

2. **Identifying the Relationship Between Water Absorption and Transpiration**: As water is absorbed by the roots, it travels up through the plant to the leaves. In the leaves, water is lost to the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. This loss of water creates a negative pressure that helps pull more water up from the roots.

3. **Recognizing the Role of Transpiration**: The rate of water absorption is closely linked to the rate of transpiration. When transpiration rates are high, more water is pulled up from the roots, leading to increased water absorption. This is explained by the transpiration pull theory, which states that the loss of water from the leaves creates a suction effect that draws water up through the plant.

4. **Evaluating Other Processes**: While photosynthesis also requires water, it uses only a small fraction (about 1%) of the water absorbed by the plant. The majority (about 99%) is lost through transpiration. Therefore, the rate of water absorption does not closely follow the rate of photosynthesis.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the relationship between water absorption and transpiration, we conclude that the rate of water absorption generally follows closely the rate of transpiration.

**Final Answer**: The rate of water absorption generally follows closely the rate of transpiration.

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