what is transpiration
What is Transpiration
Plants are responsible for 10% of the water vapor present in the atmosphere. An average oak tree transpires approximately 40,000 gallon water in a year. This is because of the process of transpiration. Find out what is transpiration, when it takes place and what is its importance.
- Plant takes water, dissolved essential plant nutrients and minerals from the soil with the help of the roots through the process of osmosis.
- Due to the lower water pressure in the leaves and upper part of the plants, the water travels from the roots to the upper parts through xylem.
- The water and the other minerals get mixed with the CO2 and chlorophyll in the leaves and prepare food with the help of sunlight.
- Here, the process of Transpiration starts. When the water reaches the leaves, it is brought to the surface of the leaves with the help of stomata. Stomata help in the exchange of gases, that is, they take in CO2 and give out O2 in the atmosphere.
- High temperature may result in the opening of stomata and hence, increases the transpiration.
- In the normal procedure, plant gets water from the soil. If plant does not get water from the soil, the stomata remains closed.
- The rate of humidity is inversely proportional to the rate of transpiration. That means when humidity increases, transpiration decreases.
- Light increases the temperature which in turn, increases transpiration.
- Transpiration increases with the wind but high winds result in the closing of stomata which reduces transpiration.
- Leaf structure, type of stomata, root and shoot ratio, etc., may also affect the rate of transpiration.
- Transpiration helps in the process of photosynthesis and exchange of gases.
- In the water cycle, it plays a major role as approximately 10% of total water which is present in the atmosphere is because of the transpiration process.
- It helps in maintaining the level of CO2 and O2.