Mineral solutes do not pass on from the roots into the soil but water is drawn into the roots from the soil.

Mineral molecules are more concentrated inside the root hair cells than in the soil outside. Still, mineral solutes do not pass on from the roots into the soil but water is drawn into the roots from the soil. It is because plants use the process of active transport and absorb against the gradient at expense of energy. The movement of minerals ions from a region of their lower concentration to a region of their higher concentration is called active transport. This process involves the use of energy (ATP).