NOTES (Ch. Transpiration ) . All plants absorb water from soil through their roots. . The process of loss of water in the form of water vapour from the exposed or aerial parts of a plant such as leaves is called transpiration. . Transpiration is carried out by the aerial parts of a plant. Depending upon the plant surface involved , transpiration is of three types: 1. Cuticular transpiration 2. Lenticular transpiration 3. Stomatal transpiration . The loss of water vapour , which occurs through stomata is called stomatal transpiration. It accounts for 80 to 90% of the total water vapour loss from the plants. . Stomata are the minute pores found in the epidermal layer of leaves and green stems. . The process of transpiration in plants is regulated by the opening and closing of stomata. Transpiration occurs as long as the stomata are open, it stops when they are closed. . The opening and closing of stomata depend upon the turgid or flaccid state of guard cells or the amount of water and solutes present in the guard cells. . According to the potassium ion exchange theory , the guard cells become turgid when potassium iongradient is set up in the cells( during daytime). This causes the stomatal pores to open up and transpiration occurs whereas at night reverse happens. . Internal factors affecting the rate of transpiration are as following:- a. Root - shoot ratio b. Leaf area c. Leaf structure d. Age of plants e. Water content of leaves . External factors affecting the rate of transpiration are as following: - a. Light b. Humidity of air c. Air temperature d. Wind e. Soil water f. Atmospheric pressure g. Carbon dioxide concentration . Many plants that grow in unfavourable conditions like dry , humid climate have evolved a number of permanent adaptations in order to reduce the rate of transpiration. Some of them are: -1. Sunken stomata 2. Thick cuticle on leaves 3. Loss of leaves 4. Narrow leaves 5. Fewer stomata 6. Epidermal hairs . Some major advantages of transpiration are: - 1. Cooling effect 2. Suction force 3. Distribution of water and mineral salts 4. Maintenance of turgidity 5. Contribution in precipitation 6. Osmosis . Potometer is an apparatus that measures the rate of water intake by a plant shoot which is almost equal to the water lost through transpiration. It does not measure transpiration directly, but measures the water uptake by the cut shoot. . Guttation is a phenomenon taking place in some plants having tiny pores on the leaf tips and margins called hydathodes. Under high humidity and high water content in soil , these plants form water droplets at the edges of leaves. . The exudation of sap from the injured parts of theplants is called bleeding. It happens due to root pressure.MODEL ANSWERS (Ch. Transpiration ) Question 1. State the main function of guard cells. Answer. Guard cells regulate opening and closing of stomata.Thus, control gaseous exchange and transpiration. Question 2. How are guard cells adapted for transpiration ? Answer. The outer wall of guard cell is thin while the inner wall is thick. The guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata by changing their turgidity. Question 3. Atmospheric humidity promotes transpiration from a green plant. Do you agree ? Answer. No, high atmospheric humidity reduces the rate of outward diffusion of the internal water vapour across stomata , thereby reducing the rate of transpiration. Question 4. Give biological reasons for the following statement. In some xerophytes, leaves are modified into spines. Answer.Xerophytes grow in dry conditions where water is less, therefore in order to reduce transpiration their leaves are modified into spines. Question 5. Differentiate between the transpiration and guttation on the basis of structures involved. Answer. Transpiration occurs through stomata while guttation occurs through hydathodes.Question 6. Mention three advantages of transpiration. Answer. Three advantages are as follows: 1). It provides a suction force 2). It produces a cooling effect 3). It helps in the distribution of water.WORKSHEET - 4 (Ch.Transpiration ) Question 1. Define the following :- 1). Transpiration 2). Antitranspirants 3). Guttation 4). Bleeding Question 2. Explain the mechanism of stomatal transpiration. Question 3. Mention three adaptations found in plants to reduce transpiration. Question 4. Mention three advantages of transpiration. Question 5. Differentiate between the following : 1). Stomata and lenticels 2).Transpiration and translocation 3).Stomatal and cuticular transpiration 4).Evaporation and transpiration 5).Transpiration and perspiration Question 6. Discuss the role of cobalt chloride paper while performing the experiment to demonstrate the process of transpiration. Question 7. Explain the bell jar experiment. What is its significance ? (Note : Write the answers of the above given questions in your interleaf Biology notebook.)