Assertion(A) : The water is absorbed by the root and moves into the stem. Reason (R) : From root hair cell, water directly moves to xylem cells.

Assertion (A) is true as water is absorbed from the soil by root hairs and moves through the root tissues into the stem via the xylem [c1][c2]. This creates a continuous water column pushed upwards by root pressure and pulled by transpiration [c1][t3]. However, Reason (R) is false. Water does not move directly from root hair cells to xylem cells. Instead, it must traverse several tissue layers, including the root cortex and the endodermis [t2][t3]. Water follows the apoplast or symplast pathways through the cortex [t5][t7]. Upon reaching the endodermis, the waxy Casparian strip blocks the apoplastic route, forcing water into the symplast (cytoplasm) to regulate ion entry before it finally enters the xylem vessels located in the vascular cylinder [t2][t5][t9]. Thus, the pathway involves multiple intermediate cellular steps rather than a direct connection.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Transport of water > p. 95
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Transport of water > p. 94