Plant roots filter water primarily through the xylem, which acts like a natural filter, trapping bacteria as water travels from the roots to the leaves.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
- The Xylem as a Filter: The xylem is the vascular tissue in plants responsible for transporting water and nutrients. The structure of the xylem, particularly the small pores within it, effectively filters out impurities.
- Mechanism of Filtration: These pores are sized just right to remove harmful bacteria and other microbes from the water.
- Efficiency: Research has shown that this filtration system can be highly effective. One study using a pine branch estimated that the xylem removed 99.9% of the bacteria present in the water.
In essence, the plant's natural vascular system, specifically the xylem, acts as a sophisticated filtration system, ensuring that the water reaching the rest of the plant is relatively pure.
