What process involves water moving from the ground into the atmosphere in plants?

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plant roots from the soil, moves through plants, and is released as water vapor into the atmosphere from small pores in the leaves called stomata. This process plays a crucial role in the water cycle and is essential for plant health as it helps in nutrient transport and temperature regulation.

During transpiration, water vapor contributes to humidity in the atmosphere and can eventually lead to cloud formation and precipitation. This process is distinct from evaporation, which is the transformation of water from liquid to vapor from surfaces, such as lakes and rivers, and is not limited to biological organisms. On the other hand, condensation involves water vapor cooling and turning back into liquid, while precipitation refers to various forms of water, such as rain or snow, falling from the atmosphere back to the Earth's surface. Thus, transpiration specifically relates to water movement in plants and their physiological processes.