Re: How are paper towels made? How do paper towels absorb water?

Paper towels are made the same way all paper is made. Wood and other plant material are ground up until they've separated into microscopic plant fibers. These fibers are mainly made of cellulose, which is the chemical that gives wood it's strength. (If you tear a piece of paper, you can often see some fibers sticking out.) Then the fibers are bleached white. To make paper, the fibers are pressed into thin sheets and dried out.

Paper towels absorb water two in ways:
(1) Like a sponge, there are lots of microscopic spaces between the fibers where water can go.
(2) The plant fibers are made of cellulose, which can soak up lots of water molecules.