Transpiration Flashcards

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What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from a plant’s leaves, mainly through the stomata.

Describe the path taken by water in transpiration, from the soil to the air.

Water enters the roots, travels up the stem in the xylem, reaches the leaves, evaporates into air spaces, then leaves through the stomata.

From which part of the leaf does most water vapour leave during transpiration?

Most water vapour leaves from the underside of the leaf, through tiny holes called stomata.

What is the transpiration stream?

The transpiration stream is the continuous flow of water from the roots, up through the xylem, to the leaves, driven by transpiration.

Give two reasons why transpiration is important to a plant.

It pulls water and mineral ions up to the leaves, and it cools the plant as water evaporates.

Name four factors that can affect the rate of transpiration.

Light intensity, temperature, humidity of the air, and wind speed.

How does a higher temperature affect the rate of transpiration?

A higher temperature increases the rate because water evaporates faster from the leaf.

How does wind speed affect the rate of transpiration?

More wind increases the rate because it blows away moist air from around the leaf.

How does air humidity affect the rate of transpiration?

High humidity lowers the rate because the air is already moist, so less water vapour can diffuse out of the leaf.

How do stomata and guard cells help control transpiration?

Guard cells open the stomata to increase water loss and close them to reduce transpiration and save water.

What simple piece of equipment can be used to estimate the rate of transpiration, and what does it measure?

A potometer, which measures how quickly a plant shoot takes up water.