Water Cohesion/Adhesion and
Hydrogen Bonding
- Water is comprised of one oxygen
atom and two hydrogen atoms. With photosynthesis
creating a gradient for the water to flow the
hydrogen atoms help it travel up the xylem with
cohesion and adhesion.
- "Cohesion refers to the
force between molecules of the same type,
whereas adhesion refers to the force between
molecules of different types"(Giancoli. pg 277).
- While water travels up the stem
hydrogen bonds act cohesively to each other and
adhere to the walls of the xylem.
- This cohesion and adhesion along
the xylem allows for water to actually move up
the gradient from the roots to the leaves where
photosynthesis occurs.
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