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TRANSPIRATION
Transpiration is a process during which water in the form of water
vapour is lost from the Internal tissue of plants, through the aerial
parts of the plant.

Modes of Transpiration:

1. Stomatal Transpiration: The epidermis of the leaf has numerous

pores called stomata. These pores remain open during the day
so that carbon dioxide of the air can diffuse in and enable the
plant to prepare food by the process of photosynthesis.
Simultaneously, water vapour from the cells diffuse out. Thus,
transpiration accompanies photosynthesis.

2. Cuticular Transpiration: Some amount of water vapour also

escape through the atmosphere through the cuticle covering
of the leaf surface. This is known as cuticular transpiration.
3. Lenticular Transpiration: Stems of woody plants have openings on
their surface called lenticels. Transpiration V takes place through
these openings since the lenticels are always open and the water
vapour easily escapes through the loose mass of cells of each
lenticel.

Conditions influencing Transpiration

The rate of transpiration is affected mainly by atmospheric

conditions such as sunlight, humidity, temperature and wind
velocity.

1. Sunlight: The degree of stomatal opening varies with the inten sity
of light. Thus, on a bright sunny day, the stomata are fully open and
the rate of transpiration is increased. On a cloudy day, the stomata
are partially open and transpiration is reduced. At night, in the total
absence of light, the stomata closes and transpiration is greatly
reduced. Only lenticular or cuticular transpiration occurs.
2. Temperature of the Air: When outside temperature is high, the rate
of transpiration increases. This is because at high temperatures water
evaporates more freely than at low temperatures. Also, the capacity
of the air to hold water vapour increases at high temperature.

3. Humidity of the Air: When the atmosphere is dry, its capacity to

receive moisture increases. Thus, when the air dries, the rate of
transpiration increases.

4. Wind or Air Movement: Transpiration is more rapid or active.

when the wind velocity is high, and greatly reduced in still air. This is
because in moving air, the water vapour is quickly.. removed or
swept away from the area surrounding the transpiring leaf and
transpiration can proceed rapidly.
Adaptations to Control Excessive Transpiration:

1. Morphological Adaptations: Since maximum water

loss takes place through the leaf surface, the leaf area is
considerably reduced. This is achieved in various ways.
a. Leaves may be modified into spines, as in desert plants like the
cactus or into needles as in pine.

b. Leaves may be folded or rolled up.

c. Leaves may be shed, as in deciduous trees.

2. Anatomical Adaptations

a. The number of stomata are reduced and they remain

sunken in pits.
b. A thick waxy cuticle develops on the epidermis as in evergreen
trees.

c. Shrubs and trees develop a waterproof covering of cork or bark.

d. A multiple epidermis may develop some leaves.

e. The leaf surface may be covered by a dense coating of

cutinised hairs, scales, etc.

Experiments on transpiration

Experiment 1

Aim: To show that water vapour is given off from the aerial parts
(stem and leaves) during transpiration.

Apparatus: A well-watered rooted plant, 2 bell jars, polythene

sheets, cobalt chloride paper, wax.
Procedure

1. The pot is completely enclosed in a polythene sheet, to prevent

evaporation of water from the soil.

2. The pot is then placed under a bell jar. A strip of cobalt chloride
paper is attached to the side of the bell jar. 3. The rim of the bell jar
is sealed with wax to prevent moisture from escaping or entering
the jar.

4. A pot completely enclosed in a polythene sheet to prevent

evaporation of water from the soil is placed under a bell jar as the
control.

Observation

1. Droplets of a colourless liquid are seen on the sides of the bell jar.
The blue cobalt chloride paper pink and is hence, identified as
water.
2. No such liquid is seen in the control experiment.

Inference

1. The plant gives off water vapour which saturates the atmosphere
inside the jar and condenses on its sides.

2. Transpiration occurs mainly from the leaves. This is inferred from

the observation that in the control experiment no water vapour is
formed which could saturate the atmo sphere inside the jar and
condense.

What is a Control?
A controlled experiment is one in which two, almox identical
experiments are set up. In one set-up, one o more factor is
eliminated so that any difference in the result can then be
attributed to that factor. The set-up which is used for comparing the
result is called the control.
Experiment modified to measure the amount of water transpired
by plant:

Previously weighed anhydrous calcium chloride

(which has a capacity to absorb moisture) is placed under each

bell jar A and B (made air tight). Both are reweighed after 24 hours.

An increase in weight is noted in both but the difference in weight

in A is greater than in B. Any increase in the weight of CaCl, in
Control B is due to atmospheric conditions inside the jar. If this
difference is subtracted from the difference in the weight of the
calcium chloride in A, the result will be the amount of moisture
given off by the plant during transpiration.
Experiment 5

Aim: To measure the rate of transpiration by observing the rate

of water uptake in a leafy shoot using Ganong's potometer.
Apparatus: Ganong's potometer, a cut leafy shoot, oil, paraffin
wax.

Procedure

1. The potomater is filled with water.

2. A leafy shoot cut under water (to prevent air entering the
conducting vessels of the stem) is fitted into the upper wide end of
the apparatus through a cork or rubber bung. Paraffin wax is used
to make the connection air-tight.
3. The distil end of the potometer is immersed in a beaker
containing coloured water. Since the water is coloured, the
movement of the water through the narrow tube is seen easily.
4. When the coloured water rises in the horizontal arm of the
apparatus remove the tube from the beaker for a while and allow
air to enter it.
5. Reintroduce the tube in the beaker of water. Observation: An air
bubble is seen which travels through the horizontal arm of the
potometer.

Inference: As water is lost by the leaves due to transpiration, more

is drawn from the stem, which in turn draws out water from the
potometer tube.

Experiment 6

Aim: To compare rates of transpiration under different atmospheric

conditions.

Apparatus: Ganong's potometer, leafy shoot, fan

Procedure

1. A cut leafy shoot is fitted into the potometer, as explained

in experiment 5.
2. The entire apparatus is successively placed for a few hours in
different environments such as:
Case (a) Warm room with still air.
Case (b) Warm room in front of fan
Case (c) An air-conditioned room.

Observation

1. The bubble travels most rapidly in case (b). 2. The bubble moves
more rapidly in the warm room than in the cold room.

Inference

1. Rate of transpiration is highest under conditions of high

temperature and wind movement Icase (b).

2. The rate of transpiration is lowered in the absence of air

movements even though temperature is high [case (a)).

3. Transpiration is the least in the air-conditioned room (case (c).

Ganong's Potometer

Precautions

1. Before taking the readings in sey new situation, the apparates

should be allowed to stand for a sheet while under the altered
conditions so that the new rate of transpiration may become
established

2. The light intensity should be constant during each of the

experiments

Restarting Experiment

To restarnt the experiment or if the air-bubble maches the end of

the capillary tube, the bubble can be moved back by momentarily
opening the top of the reservoir. A layer of o on the exposed water
surface in the reservoir prevents evaperation of water.
Limitations of Ganong's Potometer

I. The potometer does not measure water lost by transpiration but

only the water drawn by the plant as a result of transpiration. This is
because all the water, that is all drawn by the plant is not transpired

a. Some of the water is used by the cells for vital processes such
manufacture of food

b. Water in the vacuoles, gives turgidity to the cells and also serves
as a solvent for minerals and estymes

2. The potometer uses only very small volanes of ware Therefore,

changes in temperature produce almost neg ligible contractions
and expansions which do so significantly affect the madsed the
experiment.

Significance of Transpiration The advantages of transpiration are as

under:
1. Removal of excess water from the plant: Roots tend to absorb
more water than required by the plant. The excess water is
removed by transpiration.

2. Absorption of water and nutrients from the soil: Due to

transpiration, water is absorbed from the soil (experiment7). The
absorption of water also helps in the intake of inorganic salts which
are dissolved in the water. Note: The intake of salts is independent
of the quantity of water absorbed.

3. Ascent of sap: As a result of transpiration Suction force is

generated (experiment 8) which helps in the upward movement of
water, against the force of gravity, to the top of tall trees.

4. Distribution of water and salts throughout the plant body: Due to

transpiration pull (experiment 81 water is distributed throughout the
plant body. The water also carries with it the mineral salts absorbed
by the plant.
Disadvantages of Transpiration

1. Wilting: Plants often wilt and die when excessive transpiration

takes place, that is, when the rate of evaporation through leaves far
exceeds absorption of water through the roots.

In strong sunlight or during intense summer, most herbaceous plants

wilt but regain their turgidity in the evening. When wilting persists for
a long time, the plant dies.

2. Stunted Growth: The normal growth of the plant is retarded in the

absence of adequate water. Water provides turgidity to the plant, is
used in photosynthesis and provides the medium for the transport
and translocation of minerals and food in the plant.

3. Energy Expenditure: Since most of the water absorbed is lost by

transpiration, plants have to work more to compensate for this loss.
Guttation: Exudation of Water

In certain plants like the water lettuce, grape vine, tomato, banana
etc. tiny droplets of water (containing dissolved organic and
inorganic salts) appear along the leaf margin in the early hours of
the morning. This water escapes from special tissues that develop
along the leaf margin and open on the leaf surface. These water
pores are called hydathodes and the process by which the sap
escapes from them is known as exuda tion or guttation.

Guttation takes place due to increased hydrostatic pressure that

builds up within the cells. The wall pressure that develops in fully
turgid parenchymatous cells force the water out.

Conditions favouring Guttation:

1.Large amounts of water in the plant.
2. Suitable temperature (at very low temperatures, practically no
guttation takes place).
3. AP conditions, that inhibit transpiration, favour guttation.
Transpiration Stream

Transpiration stream is the path of movement of mineral sap

through the vessels and tracheids of xylem tissue, due to
transpiration.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation.

Transpiration

1. Water escapes in the form of water vapour.

2. Water is pure

3. Water escapes through stomata and lenticels.

4. Transpiration is a natural process regulated by the movement of

guard cells.
5. Occurs in the presence of sunlight, hence in the daytime.

6. Transpiration cools the plant,

Guttation

1. Water escapes in the liquid form as water droplets.

2. Water contains dissolved salts.

3. Water escapes through hydathodes

4. It cannot be regulated. It is the result of root pressure.

5. Takes place in the absence of tran spiration, hence, generally at

night.

6. Has no effect on the plant.