tissues in the roots, stem and leaves. 2 types of tissues: 1) xylem carry water and dissolves minerals absorbed in the roots up to stem and to the leaves. 2) phloem carry glucose, produced by the leaves during photosynthesis, from the leaves to all parts of the plant. Homework : draw figure 2.7 page 27
Cross section of root Cross section of stem Cross section of leaf Transpiration A plant in the morning. - stem is upright. - the leaves are well spread out. - the cell have plenty of water.
The plant in the afternoon when not watered. - stem not longer upright - the leaves are soft and they droop or wilt. - the cells have insufficient water.
Transpiration Is a process in plants in which water lost in form of water vapour from its leaves to the environment. The water vapour pass out of the leaf through tiny pores called stomata. Stomata are pores or openings on the surfaces of the leaves. More stomata are found on the lower epidermis of the leaf compared to the upper epidermis. The pore size of stomata is controlled by guard cell. Gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse in and out of the leaf through the stoma during photosynthesis and respiration.
An open stomata . The stomata of the plants are normally open during the day to allow the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen. This take place during photosynthesis. The opening of stomata also results in the loss of water by transpirations. A closed stoma. The stomata may be closed on hot day to reduce the loss of water by transpiration. Factors affecting the rate of transpiration : a. Temperature b. Light intensity c. Wind d. Air moisture a. Temperature : Temperature increases,Transpiration increases.
b. Light intensity High Light intensity increases raises the rate of transpiration, because plants carry out photosynthesis with open stomata.
c. Wind Wind or moving air raises the transpiration rate. Wind causes water to evaporate quicker from the surface of the leaf.
d. Air moisture Dry air increases the rate of transpiration. The drier the air in the environment, the more water is evaporated from plants.
High temperature, high light intensity, strong wind and dry air raise the rate of transpiration.
The Importance of transpiration to a plant :
a)Get rid of excess water from plants. In this way, the concentration of cell fluid can be controlled.
b)Cool plants on hot days. The cooling effect is obtained by plants when excessive water is changed into water vapour.
c)Transport water and mineral salts from the roots to the whole plant. The transpiration process produces a sucking force which helps the absorption of water and mineral salts by roots to rise to the other higher parts of the plants.