Theresa Marquez-Nixon

Plant Biology 1030

Lab Report
April 24th 2016

Transpiration
Plants are more complex than what appears to the naked eye. Transpiration is only one of
many processes that take place within the plant. Water potential and plant variations are factors
that play a role in transpiration. Different mechanisms like active transport and cohesion tension
help assist in the process of transpiration. Certain plants have developed specific adaptations that
help to prevent water loss.
The process in which water disperses through the stomata is known as Transpiration. If
you look closely at a leaf you will see it is dotted with tiny pores these are called stomata.
Stomata can be found on the lower surface of leaves and in some plants they are on the upper
surface as well. Living plants are constantly losing water due to evaporation. Water evaporating
from the moist interior cell surfaces can escape from the stomata.1 This water is replaced by
water within the soil. Within the root system, water is moving from cell to cell, extending all the
way up through the plant and into the leaves. It is estimated that 98% of a plants energy is used
in the work of transpiration.2
To understand how water moves from cell to cell within a plant you need to know a few
things about Water potential. Water Potential is the combination of various factors that influence
the movement of water. There are three components of water potential: the tendency for water to
move down its concentration gradient is known as osmotic potential; the tendency for water to
1 Bidlack, James E. Jansky, Shelley H. Sterns Introductory: Plant Biology Thirteenth Edition. New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill, 2014. 106. Print.
2 Brawner, Mikl. What Is Transpiration? And Why Should We Know About It?.
www.harlequinsgardens.com. Boulder, CO: Harlequins Gardens, 2016. Web.
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Theresa Marquez-Nixon
Plant Biology 1030
Lab Report
April 24th 2016

move down its pressure gradient is known as pressure potential; and the tendency for water to
move along a charged surface is matric potential. The water potential of a plant cell is
essentially its osmotic potential and pressure potential combined.3 When there are two cells next
to one another with different water potentials, water will move from the cell with higher water
potential to the cell with lower water potential. Water enters the root system through root hairs
are in contact with water moisture in the soil. Soil water can enter the root in two ways: cells
become saturated by water from cell to cell to full water potential, saturating every sing cell
within the cell wall; or water enters through the permeable membranes and cytoplasm then
moves from cell to cell to the xylem. In the endodermis layer the casparian strip does not affect
the movement of water but does regulate minerals. As solutes enter, the high concentration level
allows water to move in creating a high pressure. This process is called Active Transport. Water
then flows from the xylem to the leaves, evaporates within the leaf air spaces and diffuses out
(transpires) through the stomata into the atmosphere.4
What causes the water to rise up through the plant you may ask? At night the stomata
close, the water follows water potential and water molecules run through the xylem. The water
that moves through the xylem creates a negative pressure. This negative pressure creates a
transpirational pull which works against gravity and pulls water up through the plant. Water is
taken from the soil into the root system up the shoot system then into the leaf to replenish water
lost from transpiration. This mechanism is known as Cohesion Tension, it is the primary
3 Bidlack, James E. Jansky, Shelley H. Sterns Introductory: Plant Biology Thirteenth
Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2014. 150. Print.
4 Bidlack, James E. Jansky, Shelley H. Sterns Introductory: Plant Biology Thirteenth
Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2014. 150. Print.
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Theresa Marquez-Nixon
Plant Biology 1030
Lab Report
April 24th 2016

mechanism for most plants. Cohesion Tension is possible in plants smaller than 300 feet. There
is another process called Root Pressure that is important in small plants (18 20 inches) or in
other plants during periods when transpiration does not occur. Root pressure creates a positive
pressure that generates in the root system by osmotic water potential into the vascular cylinder.
Leaf veins also known as hydotholes, act as pressure relief valves. Water is released through the
hydathodes at the leaf margin forming small droplets of water. Some refer to this as dew but the
actual name for the water that is being released is Guttation.
There are several reasons as to why plants transpire. The primary reason is to cool the plant
through Evaporative Cooling. Evaporative cooling is an exothermic process (that) uses energy
to break the strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules; the energy used to do so is taken
from the leaves and given to the water molecules that have converted to highly energetic gas
molecules. These gas molecules and their associated energy are released into the atmosphere,
cooling the plant.5 Another reason is that transpiration helps with water and nutrient uptake.
Plants access nutrients from the soil, the nutrients dissolved into the water and is brought into the
plant from the roots. Although only less than 5% of the water taken up by roots remains in the
plant, water is vital for a plants structure and function.6 During transpiration the stomatas are
open; allowing gas exchange between the atmosphere and the leaf. Open stomata allow water
vapor to leave the leaf but also allow carbon dioxide to enter. 7 The plant needs carbon dioxide
to conduct photosynthesis.
5 Sandal, Leah. Transpiration What and Why?. Passel.unl.edu. Lincon, NE: Plant
& Soil Sciences eLibrary, Oct. 1999. Web.
6 Sandal, Leah. Transpiration What and Why?. Passel.unl.edu. Lincon, NE: Plant
& Soil Sciences eLibrary, Oct. 1999. Web.
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Theresa Marquez-Nixon
Plant Biology 1030
Lab Report
April 24th 2016

In order to survive in hot and dry conditions plants have developed certain adaptions to
prevent water loss. The opening of its stomata during the evening is one specific adaptation that
you will find is some desert plants like succulents and cacti. Extremely high temperatures can
lead to extensive water loss during the day. So some plants transpire at a time when it is less
likely to lose water. The reduction in leaves and leaf size is another adaptation. Smaller leaves
have fewer stomatas which reduces water loss. The less leaves a plant has the less water will be
lost, reducing transpiration as well. Some plants like the cacti have no leaves. Plants have
advanced a coating of wax or hairs on its leaves as an adaptation. The waxy coating protects the
plant; the Juniper plant and cactus pads have a waxy coating. The hair on the leaves help
insulate the plant against the heat, cold and dry winds.8 Sagebrush is a great example that has
this adaptation. Globemallow plants are covered with dense, grayish hairs that reflect sunlight
and break up the wind.9 Plants also have different water storage mechanisms that they use to
store away water until a later time when water is needed. All plants have water storage cells,
where these cells are located depends on the plant. For instance, the Golden Barrel Cactus stores
water with in its stem, and the Coral Aloe plant stores water in its leaves. Some plants create
water storage within their roots. The Evening Primrose has a thickened taproots that store water

7 Sandal, Leah. Transpiration What and Why?. Passel.unl.edu. Lincon, NE: Plant
& Soil Sciences eLibrary, Oct. 1999. Web.
8 Various Authors. Plant Adaptation. www.nps.gov. Canyon County, ID: Fifth Grade
Curriculum, 2000. 33. Web.
9 Various Authors. Plant Adaptation. www.nps.gov. Canyon County, ID: Fifth Grade
Curriculum, 2000. 33. Web.
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Theresa Marquez-Nixon
Plant Biology 1030
Lab Report
April 24th 2016

and food.10 The Pinion Pines taproots stretch down 40 feet or more in deep soils; in shallow
soils, lateral roots stretch outward the same distance.11 There are even plants that use their roots
to steal water and nutrients from other plants nearby. Paintbrushes are infamous for this
technique.
Transpiration is an essential plant function that helps maintain health and regulates water
levels within the plant. The plant to replace water lost through transpiration. More water is pulled
in through the soil or from around the cell. The water potential of the plant is what causes water
to moves from cell to cell throughout the plant. Cohesion Tension is the primary mechanism of
most plants; it assists in the intake of water through the root system, which is then pulled up the
shoot system and into the leaves. In small plants and in plants where transpiration does not take
place, a mechanism known as Root Pressure is used. Throughout time plants have developed
specific adaptations to prevent water loss in extreme weather conditions and climates.

10 Various Authors. Plant Adaptation. www.nps.gov. Canyon County, ID: Fifth

Grade Curriculum, 2000. 33. Web.
11 Various Authors. Plant Adaptation. www.nps.gov. Canyon County, ID: Fifth
Grade Curriculum, 2000. 33. Web.
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