What process allows water to move from high concentration in the soil to lower concentration in root cells?

The process that allows water to move from an area of high concentration in the soil to an area of lower concentration in root cells is passive absorption. This process is part of osmosis, where water molecules naturally move through semipermeable membranes from an area of higher water concentration (in the soil) to an area of lower water concentration (inside the root cells) without the use of energy. This movement continues until equilibrium is reached.

In this scenario, root cells have a higher concentration of solutes compared to the soil. As a result, water naturally flows into the root cells to balance the concentration differences. Passive absorption is a crucial mechanism for plants, as it helps maintain hydration and allows for the uptake of nutrients dissolved in the soil.

Translocation refers to the movement of nutrients and sugars through the plant, primarily via the phloem, rather than water. Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, which doesn't apply in the case of water moving down its concentration gradient. Root pressure involves the buildup of pressure due to active transport of minerals that also helps to push water upwards in plants, but it is not the primary mechanism for the initial absorption from the soil.