Transpiration

LO Define and explain transpiration

Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from plant leaves by

evaporation of water at the surfaces of the mesophyll cells followed by
diffusion of water vapour through the stomata
REVISION: Label the parts of a leaf

Video link

Transpiration
Plants continually
lose water to the
air.
This is called
transpiration.

Transpiration
Stages in transpiration
1) Water is constantly lost
from the leaves- this occurs
due to evaporation due to
heat + water loss from the
stomata

Transpiration
Stages in transpiration
2) This produces a
concentration gradient:
There is more water in the
roots/ at the base of the
plant that in the leaves.
Water moves via osmosis
from a high concentration in
the roots to a lower one in
the leaves.

Transpiration >
Stages in transpiration
3) As water moves from the
roots to the leaves more
water is drawn up from the
soil into the root hair cells.
This occurs because the
concentration of water in the
soil is larger than in the
roots = water moves via
osmosis in to the root hair
cells.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the loss of water from plants by evaporation.

Plants lose water when they open the stomata in their
leaves to let in carbon dioxide. A stoma can only open if
there is enough water in its guard cells. This helps to prevent
excessive water loss.
Water always moves from an area of high concentration to
an area of low concentration. This movement of water is a
type of diffusion called osmosis.
Air around the plant usually contains less water than the
cells of the plant, so water evaporates into the air.
Although transpiration may seem bad for plants, it actually
moves water from the roots to the top of the plant, without
using energy. How does this work?

Transpiration

Wilting

If a plant is
losing more
water than it
can replace, it
will begin to
wilt.
This will reduce
the amount of
water lost as
the surface
area is
reduced.

Task: Cut and stick to explain

the process of transpiration

Kahoot Quiz

Exam Questions!

Self-assessment

The potometer

A potometer can be used to

measure the rate of
transpiration.

Rate of transpiration

As the leaf loses water, the air

bubble moves. The distance moved
over a time period is measured.

Transpiration rate

Graph of bubble movement against

time.

The rate of transpiration

Light intensity
Temperature increases
Air movement
Humidity falls
Task:
ALL: Explain how a potometer can be used to
measure the rate of transpiration.
MOST: In your books explain why each of these
factors INCREASES the rate of transpiration.
SOME: What adaptations could help minimise
water loss from the leaves?

Preventing water loss from the leaves

Marram grass is specially adapted to

keep water.

The guard cells

control the size of
the stomata, so can
regulate the amount
of water lost by
transpiration.
If plants are losing
water faster than
they are gaining it,
the stomata close.
Without this
happening, the plants
will wilt and may die.

Plenary: Transpiration summary

Plants continually lose water to the air. This is called
__________.
Transpiration happens much more quickly in hot, ___ and
windy conditions.
Most plants have a waxy layer called the ________ on
their leaves. This prevents too much water loss from the
leaves.
The cuticle is much thicker in plants that live in drier
areas. Water lost through transpiration is mainly lost
through the _______.
The _____ cells control the size of the stomata, so can
regulate the amount of water lost by transpiration.
If plants are losing water faster than they are gaining it,
the stomata ______.
Without this happening, the plants will ____ and may die.
wilt dry stomata cuticle guard transpiration close

Plenary: Transpiration summary

Plants continually lose water to the air. This is called
__________.
Transpiration happens much more quickly in hot, ___ and
windy conditions.
Most plants have a waxy layer called the ________ on
their leaves. This prevents too much water loss from the
leaves.
The cuticle is much thicker in plants that live in drier
areas. Water lost through transpiration is mainly lost
through the _______.
The _____ cells control the size of the stomata, so can
regulate the amount of water lost by transpiration.
If plants are losing water faster than they are gaining it,
the stomata ______.
Without this happening, the plants will ____ and may die.
wilt dry stomata cuticle guard transpiration close

Transpiration
Plants continually lose water to the air. This is called
transpiration.
Transpiration happens much more quickly in hot, dry and
windy conditions.
Most plants have a waxy layer called the cuticle on their
leaves. This prevents too much water loss from the leaves.
The cuticle is much thicker in plants that live in drier areas.
Water lost through transpiration is mainly lost through the
stomata.
The guard cells control the size of the stomata, so can
regulate the amount of water lost by transpiration.
If plants are losing water faster than they are gaining it, the
stomata close.
Without this happening, the plants will wilt and may die.