Plants absorb water and dissolved minerals from the soil primarily through their roots, especially via root hairs. Water enters the root cells by osmosis. These absorbed substances are then transported upwards through the plant body, against gravity, to the stem, branches, and ultimately the leaves. This entire upward movement of water and minerals is facilitated by a specialized vascular tissue called xylem. Xylem forms a continuous network of channels throughout the plant, acting like pipes to ensure efficient delivery.