3. Transpiration
3. Transpiration
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Define and describe the phenomenon of transpiration
Define and describe the phenomenon of transpiration
Have you ever wondered how plants stay cool on a hot day or how they drink water without sipping through a straw? Well, get ready to uncover one of nature's coolest secrets: a process called transpiration! It's like a plant's very own way of sweating and drinking at the same time. Let's dive in and discover the amazing world of transpiration together! 🌱💧
The process by which plants remove excess water through the stomata present on the surface of leaves is called 'transpiration'.
Transpiration plays a crucial role in the water cycle as it adds significant moisture to the atmosphere. This process is quite similar to how animals sweat. About 10% of the water in the atmosphere comes from transpiration. When plants absorb water from the soil through their roots, it eventually turns into vapour and evaporates from the surface of their leaves1.
Actively growing plants constantly lose water through evaporation from the surface of their leaf cells when exposed to the air. To compensate for this loss, they continuously absorb more water from the soil2.
Fig. 3.1 Transpiration
The process of transpiration3:
1. Water Absorption: Plants absorb water and essential nutrients from the soil through their root system.
Fig. 3.2 Water Absorption by Roots
2. Water Transport: The water is then transported through special structures responsible for moving water and nutrients upwards from the roots to the stems and leaves.
GIF Source: https://www.sonuacademy.in/
Fig. 3.3 Water Transported through the Plant
3. Once the water reaches the leaves, it is released into the air through tiny pores called stomata, primarily located on the underside of the leaf surface. These stomata open and close to let gases and water vapour in and out. This water vapour is like an invisible gas.
GIF Source: https://news.mit.edu/
Fig. 3.4 Opening and Closing of Stomata
Transpiration is closely linked to photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, plants open their stomata to allow carbon dioxide intake, but this also results in the loss of water vapour through transpiration.
Watch this video4 to review the process of transpiration:
Vid. 3.1 Process of Transpiration
Various factors can influence the rate of transpiration, such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and the plant's internal water content.
For instance, high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds can increase the rate of transpiration, leading to greater water loss from the plant5.
Glossary
chemical energy: energy stored in food that plants make through photosynthesis.
humidity: the amount of water vapour present in the air.
Summary
Transpiration is the process by which plants remove excess water through stomata present on the surface of leaves is called 'transpiration'. Transpiration is essentially the evaporation of water from the leaves of the plant.
Plants have roots that absorb water from the soil. The water travels up through the stem and into the leaves.
Once the water reaches the leaves, it moves to the stomata, which are like small doors on the leaf surface. These stomata open and close to let gases and water vapour in and out.
When the stomata open, water molecules inside the leaves turn into water vapour. This water vapour is like an invisible gas.
As the water vapour moves out of the open stomata, it escapes into the air around the plant.
References
1 Transpiration. Energy Education, n.d, link
2 Transpiration- What and Why. Plant & Soil Sciences e library, n.d, link
3 Transpiration in Plants. Biology Reader, n.d, link
4 Transpiration. Youtube, n.d, link
5 Transpiration. Biology Dictionary, 2019, link
6 Transpiration Water Cycle. Youtube, n.d, link
Extensions
Watch this video6 to learn more about transpiration and factors affecting transpiration: link
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