Question

How are forces of cohesion and adhesion created in a plant?

Answer 1

Cohesion is caused by cohesion tension in plants. It is essentially caused by water molecules sticking together (remember that cohesion in biology means like particles sticking to like particles!) and leads to the water molecules traveling up the stem spreading nutrients as well.

Adhesion in a plant (capillary action) is where water molecules cling to the xylem. This makes it easier for the water molecules (exhibiting cohesion) to travel up the stem and spread nutrients to the plant.