Transpiration
Transpiration
Transpiration (/trænspɪˈreɪʃən/) is a process in plants that involves the movement of water from the roots to the leaves, where it evaporates into the atmosphere through the stomata.
Etymology
The term "transpiration" comes from the Latin word "transpirare", which means "to breathe through". It was first used in the context of plant physiology in the 17th century.
Process
Transpiration is a vital process in the water cycle. It begins when water is absorbed by the roots from the soil. This water is then transported upwards through the xylem vessels to the leaf tissues. In the leaves, some of the water is used for photosynthesis, while the rest evaporates into the atmosphere through tiny openings called stomata. This evaporation creates a suction force that pulls more water up from the roots, facilitating continuous water flow through the plant.
Factors affecting transpiration
Several factors can affect the rate of transpiration in plants. These include:
- Temperature: Higher temperatures can increase the rate of evaporation, thus increasing transpiration.
- Humidity: Lower humidity levels can increase transpiration as dry air encourages more water to evaporate.
- Wind: Wind can remove the layer of humid air around the leaf surface, promoting more evaporation.
- Light: Light stimulates the opening of stomata, increasing transpiration.
- Soil water availability: If the soil is dry, the plant may close its stomata to conserve water, reducing transpiration.
Related terms
- Evapotranspiration: The combined process of evaporation from the Earth's surface and transpiration from plants.
- Guttation: The exudation of drops of water from the leaves of some plants as a result of root pressure.
- Stomatal conductance: A measure of the rate of passage of carbon dioxide entering, or water vapor exiting through the stomata of a leaf.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Transpiration
- Wikipedia's article - Transpiration
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