Transpiration

Transpiration: the loss of water vapor from the leaves of plants

Stomata: pores in the underside of the leaf which facilitate gas exchange

Carbon dioxide enters

Water and oxygen exit

Combines cohesive and adhesive properties of water generate the forces needed for transpiration

Passive process

Factors that affect the rate of transpiration:

• Temperature - increasing the ambient temperature increases the RoT

Increases the rate of water evaporation

• Humidity - increasing the humidity decreases the RoT

Reduces the concentration gradient

• Light intensity - increasing the light intensity increases the RoT

More stomata will open in order to facilitate photosynthetic gas exchange

• Wind exposure - increasing the wind exposure increases the RoT

Increases the concentration gradient