VALLEY CREST ACADEMY

COMBINED SCIENCE NOTES

FORM 4
TOPIC: Transport in Plants
LESSON OBECTIVES
 Describe adaptations of plant leaves to reduce transpiration

Introduction: Transpiration in plants

Transpiration is the loss of water as vapour from the plant through evaporation at the aerial parts
of the plant, mainly the leaf surface.

Turgor pressure in mesophyll cells force water outwards through the cells. From the outer
surface of the cell walls, the water evaporates into the air spaces and diffuses out of the stomata
into the atmosphere.
Adaptation of plant leaves to reduce transpiration
Plants have evolved over time to adapt to their local environment and reduce transpiration.
Leaves are covered by a waxy cuticle on the outer surface that prevents the loss of water. Plants
that grow in dry environments and plants that grow on other plants (epiphytes) have a much
thicker waxy cuticle than those growing in more moderate, well-watered environments. The size
and shape of photosynthetic structures also influences transpiration rate. Succulent plants,
common in deserts, have thick, fleshy leaves or stems (Figure on the left).

Additionally, they often have a thick covering of trichomes or of stomata that are sunken below
the leaf’s surface. These adaptations impede air flow across the stomatal pore and reduce
transpiration. Multiple epidermal layers are also commonly found in these types of plants.

Other plants, such as the evergreen shrubs of the chaparral, have small, thick, tough leaves
(figure on the left). Compared to thin, broad leaves, these shapes reduce surface area-to-volume
ratio and decreases the opportunity for water loss. Plants with thin, broad leaves that live in
climates with hot, dry seasons (such as chaparral or tropical forests that have a wet and dry
season) may be deciduous, losing their leaves during these seasons to limit transpiration (Figure
on the right).

The leaves of plants in hot or dry environments may be adapted to reduce transpiration. For
example, their stomata may open at night and close at midday. This is the reverse of what usually
happens, and it means that the stomata are closed when the rate of transpiration would be
greatest.

The table describes some other adaptations in hot or dry environments:

Marram grass grows on sand dunes. Its leaves have adaptations to reduce transpiration in dry,
windy conditions.

You might have discovered that not all plants are adapted to reduce water loss especially the
flowers and vegetables which you grow in your gardens. Usually you water these plants
regularly if you do not the plants tend to lose more water than they absorb from the soil. This
means that the leaf cells lose water and they become soft and they hang down. You may have
seen such plants in the vegetable garden on hot dry days. This excessive loss of water from the
cells is called plasmolysis and when the cells gain water we refer to it as turgid.
The following bullets will help you to understand how leaves are adapted to reduce transpiration:
 If the leaf has a waxy cuticle on its surface it closes the stomata hence making the leaf
more waterproof
 Leaf surfaces may have sunken stomata covered with hairs. The hairs slow down air
movement and trap water vapour. This decrease concentration gradient hence slowing
rate of transpiration.
 Reduced leaf size in some plant species to reduce transpiration. Smaller leaves have a
smaller surface area than large leaves. The smaller leaves will lose less water.
 Some grass curl up (fold/roll) their leaves inwards to reduce the surface area exposed to
air and water vapour. Curly leaves to hide the stomata inside the leaf.
 Fewer stomata per unit surface area will result in less water being lost by the leaf.
 More stomata are found on the lower surface of leaves to prevent them from being
exposed to the sun and wind to reduce transpiration rate.