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TRANSPIRATION

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Taonaishe Hastings Muzavazi
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18 views

TRANSPIRATION

Uploaded by

Taonaishe Hastings Muzavazi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TRANSPIRATION

It is the loss of water from parts of the plant above the ground due to evaporation. It
helps to cool down plants. Transpiration takes place primarily through the stomata
(pore on the underside of the leaf). The rate of transpiration is affected by many
factors such as:
Light intensity
Temperature humidity
Wind
Water supply

The rate of photosynthesis is measured using an instrument called a potometer.

Importance of transpiration
Transpiration is not simply a hazard to plant life; it is the engine that pulls the water up
from the roots to:
1. Supply photosynthesis (1%-2% of the total)
2. Bring minerals from the roots to the leaf
3. Cool the leaf

Factors affecting transpiration

Light intensity

• Plants transpire more rapidly in the light than in the dark.


• This is largely because light stimulates the opening of the stomata.
• An increase in light intensity results in the increase of rate of transpiration due
to an increase in stomata opening.
• This is a problem for some plants as they may lose water during the day and wilt

Temperature
• Plants transpire faster at higher temperatures; this is because the rate of
evaporation increases with temperature.
• At 30 degrees a leaf may transpire three times as fast as it does at 20 degrees.
Temperature also reduces air humidity, so transpiration incerases

Humidity
• Humidity means a higher water potential (concentration) in the air, so the lower
a water concentration gradient between the leaf and the air, so less evaporation.
• Humidity can be defined as the relative amount of water in the atmosphere.
• If the air is dry then the diffusion gradient would be greater from the plant to
the atmosphere.
• There would be an increase in the diffusion of water vapour out of the stomata
and into the atmosphere.
• If the air is humid (containing a lot of water) then the opposite would be true,
and very little water would diffuse out of the atmosphere

Wind

• Very little wind means water vapour on the leaf is not swept away and this result
in an increase in humidity; there by resulting in lower rate of transpiration.
• When there is a breeze humid air is carried away and an increase in
transpiration is experienced

Water supply
• If the plant has very little water available, it will close its stomata.
• This will of course cause a decrease in the rate of transpiration.
• If absorption of water by the roots fails to keep up with the rate of
transpiration, loss of turgor occurs and the stomata close; this reduces
transpiration and as well as photosynthesis.
• If the loss of turgor extends to the rest of the leaf and stem, the plant will
wilt.

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