PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY WITH proportional to the rate of transpiration; if water loss

TAXONOMY Midterms – Lesson 3 exceeds water absorption, wilting will occur.

(Transpiration and Guttation) Structural Factors Preventing Water Loss

 Cuticle – the presence of a wax-like material, cutin in
the cell wall and thickening of the outer wall of
TRANSPIRATION
epidermal cells reduces transpiration
 It is the loss of water in vapor form in a living plant.
 Stomatal barrier – When guard cells become turgid,
 The principal transpiring organs are the leaves.
the stomatal aperture widens, thus after a period of rapid
 Transpiration may occur through the cuticle (cuticular
transpiration, the stomata close reducing water loss
transpiration), but most of the water loss during the day
 Sunken Stomata – When stomata are below the level
are through the stomata (stomatal transpiration).
of the leaf surface, diffusion of water vapor is decreased.

FACTORS AFFECTING TRANSPIRATION

 Distribution of stomata – Loss of water is decreased
RATE
if fewer stomata are located at the upper surface of the
leaf
Environment Factors  Reduction of transpiring surface – Any decrease in
 Atmospheric humidity – The drier the air above the leaf surface will decrease transpiration rate.
plant, the greater is the transpiration.
 Air movements – The more rapid the air movement,
GUTTATION
the faster is the rate of transpiration.
 The loss of liquid from the leaves of intact plants
 Air temperature – The higher the temperature of air
 Occurs when water absorption is rapid but
surrounding the leaf, the faster is the rate of
transpiration is low
transpiration.
 Specialized structures called hydathodes are present at
 Light intensity – as light intensity increases; the
the tips, margins or surfaces of leaves through which
transpiration rate is also increased.
water passes out.
 Soil conditions – any soil condition that influences
 The liquid of guttation is not a pure water but diluted
water absorption by the roots affects transpiration rate.
salt solution; therefore, guttation may be associated with
salt absorption and salt movement into the xylem.
Soil Conditions
 When soil becomes very cold, absorption of water is
retarted and rate of transpiration is decreased.
 An increase in concentration of soil solution occurring
in alkali soil, reduces the rate of water intake and
reduces transpiration.
 Poor aeration of soil results in decreased water
absorption and decreased rate of transpiration.
 The rate of water absorption by the roots is directly