Transpiration

Transpiration is the loss of water from a plant by evaporation Water can only evaporate from the plant if the water potential is lower in the air surrounding the plant Most transpiration occurs via the leaves Most of this transpiration is via the stomata. stomata.

How Transpiration is Measured A Simple Potometer Water evaporates from the plant

Leafy shoot cut under water

Air tight seals Plastic tubing

Capillary tube

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Graduated scale

Movement of meniscus is measured over time

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How Transpiration is Measured

The rate of water loss from the shoot can be measured under different environmental conditions

Water is pulled up through the plant volume of water taken up in given time
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Limitations measures water uptake

cutting plant shoot may damage plant plant has no roots so no resistance to water being pulled up
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6 Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration

1. Relative humidity:- air inside leaf is saturated (RH=100%). The lower humidity the relative humidity outside the leaf the faster the rate of transpiration as the = gradient is steeper 2. Air Movement:- increase air movement increases the rate of Movement transpiration as it moves the saturated air from around the leaf so the = gradient is steeper. 3. Temperature:- increase in temperature increases the rate of Temperature transpiration as higher temperature Provides the latent heat of vaporisation Increases the kinetic energy so faster diffusion Warms the air so lowers the = of the air, so = gradient is steeper

4. Atmospheric pressure decrease in atmospheric pressure pressure:increases the rate of transpiration. 5. Water supply transpiration rate is lower if there is little water supply:available as transpiration depends on the mesophyll cell walls being wet (dry cell walls have a lower =). When cells are flaccid the stomata close. 6. Light intensity :- greater light intensity increases the rate of transpiration because it causes the stomata to open, so increasing evaporation through the stomata.

Intrinsic Factors Affecting the Rate of Transpiration.

1. Leaf surface area 2. Thickness of epidermis and cuticle 3. Stomatal frequency 4. Stomatal size 5. Stomatal position

The Effect of Wind Speed on the Rate of Transpiration

Stomatal transpiration rate / gcm-2s-1

moving air

In still air closing the stomata is less effective in controlling the transpiration rate

still air

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Stomata diameter/m

Moving Air Removes the Boundary Layer of Water Vapour From the Leaf
Still air
Saturated air accumulates around leaf

Moving air
Water vapour is removed from the leaf surface

cross section through a leaf

Lower =

Boundary layer

the = gradient is increased, so faster rate of water evaporation via the stomata
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Movement of Water Through the Stomata

Water moves from a higher (less negative) to a lower (more negative) water potential

H2O
Diffusion shells

Increase in stomatal frequency increases the rate of transpiration

Boundary layer

stoma If the distance between the stomata is less than 10 X the pore diameter the diffusion shells overlap So increasing the number of stomata per unit area will have no further effect on transpiration

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Wilting
If water lost by transpiration is greater than water uptake via the roots the plant cells become flaccid and the plant wilts.

Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing plants wilting could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: http://pdc.unl.edu/sugarbeet/RhizochtoniaRootAndCrownRot/s uddenwilt.htm

When the guard cells are flaccid the stomata close

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Leaf section
The upper epidermis has no stomata
Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing a leaf section could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/biology/greenplants asorganisms/0photosynthesisrev2.shtml

The lower epidermis has stomata.

The guard cells control the opening and closing of the stomata

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Lower Epidermis of Tradescantia

Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing the surface of the lower epidermis could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: www.lima.ohio-state.edu/academics/biology/images/lower.jpg

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Surface view of leaf epidermis showing the guard cells which are flaccid and the stoma closed.

Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing the surface of the lower epidermis could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: www.lima.ohio-state.edu/academics/biology/images

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A single stoma and guard cells

Guard cells turgid Stoma open

Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing a single stoma and guard cells could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: http://www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/Webb/Overview/Overview.html

Guard cells flaccid

Stoma closed

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The guard cells control the opening and closing of the stomata Guard cells flaccid Thin outer wall Guard cells turgid

Thick inner wall

Stoma closed

Stoma open
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Regulating Stomatal Opening:-the potassium ion pump hypothesis

Guard cells flaccid
K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+

K+ ions have the same concentration in guard cells and epidermal cells Light activates K+ pumps which actively transport K+ from the epidermal cells into the guard cells

Stoma closed
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Regulating Stomatal Opening:-the potassium ion pump hypothesis

H2O H2O H2O Increased concentration of K+ in guard cells

K+

K+ K+ K+

K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+

H2O

Lowers the = in the guard cells

H2O

K+ K+

Water moves in by osmosis, down = gradient

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Guard cells turgid

H2O
K+ K+
2 K+

Increased concentration of K+ in guard cells

H2O

H O
K+

K+ K+ K+ K+

H2O
K+

Lowers the = in the guard cells

H2O
K+ K+

H2O
K+

Water moves in by osmosis, down = gradient

Stoma open
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Xerophytes Have Special Adaptations to Reduce the Rate of Transpiration

Xerophytes live in hot, dry environments

Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing typical xerophyte features could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/tour/lowband/cactusgarden.html

These cacti have reduced leaf area as the leaves are reduced to spines Fleshy leaves to hold water Silver surface to reflect sun

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Adaptations to Reduce Water Loss in Xerophytes

Thick waxy cuticle to reduce evaporation Reduced leaf area e.g.needles Hairy leaves the hairs trap a layer of saturated air leaves: Sunken stomata the pits above the stomata become saturated stomata: Rolled leaves this reduces the area exposed to the air and keeps leaves:the stomata on the inside so increasing the water vapour inside the roll Increasing the water vapour around the stomata reduces the water potential gradient so slows water loss

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Cross Section of Marram Grass Leaf

Leaf is rolled with sunken stomata on the inside Hairs trap water vapour Water evaporating via the stomata collects in the air trapped in the rolled leaf This reduces the = gradient so reduces water loss from the plant

Subject to copyright clearance a suitable image showing a cross section of marram grass could be inserted here. e.g. one similar to that found at: www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/schools/images/marram.html

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Adaptation to Increase Water Uptake in Xerophytes

Deep extensive root system to maximise water uptake Accumulation of solutes in the root system to reduce the =, so making the = gradient from the soil to the root cells steeper Some very shallow roots to absorb dew which condenses on the soil at night

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Graph to show stomatal opening over 24 hours

100

stomatal opening/%

Increased light intensity causes more stomata to open

Some plants close stomata during hottest time-saving water An adaptation to hot dry environments

Stomata close as the sun sets Dawn-stomata begin to open

0 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12

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24h Cycle of Stomatal Opening and Closing

Why is this cycle an advantage to most plants? 09.00 12.00

15.00

06.00

18.00

21.00 3.00 24.00

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Questions
1. What is transpiration? Give three environmental factors which will increase transpiration rate. (2marks)

2. Explain how potassium ions are moved into the guard cells in light, and how this affects the guard cells and stomata. (6marks) 3. Give three adaptations a xerophyte may have to reduce transpiration and explain how they do this. (4marks) 4. Plants close their stomata at night and some also close their stomata around mid day. Explain why this is advantageous to the plant (2marks)

finish

Click on the marks above to check your answer

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Answer Q 1 Transpiration is the loss of water from a plant by evaporation Higher temperature, increased air movement, lower humidity

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Answer Q 2 Potassium ions are pumped into the guard cells by active transport against the concentration gradient this lowers the water potential inside the guard cells water is drawn in by osmosis from the surrounding cells which have a higher water potential/down the water potential gradient guard cells swell and become turgid guard cells bend causing the stomata to open any 6 from the above

Back to question

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Answer Q3 Any three from: Thick waxy cuticle on leaves reduces evaporation Curled leaves reduce evaporation by trapping humid air inside the curl so reducing the water potential gradient Reduced leaf area, e.g. spines, reduces the area from which evaporation can occur Hairy leaves -trap a layer of humid air around the leaf,so reducing the water potential gradient Sunken stomata moist air trapped above stomata, so reducing the water potential gradient

Back to question

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Answer Q4 Stomata closed at night when there is no light for photosynthesis, so reducing water loss by evaporation/transpiration via the stomata Closing stomata at mid day, which is the hottest part of the day, is an advantage in hot dry environments, as transpiration is reduced.
Back to question

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Can you think of any synoptic links? Water potential Osmosis Active transport Respiration (energy required for active transport) Photosynthesis (light and CO2 required for photosynthesis, CO2 enters via stomata, water used in photosynthesis)

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