Biology Unit 2

Experiment # 6
January 18, 2024
Title: The effect of wind on Transpiration rate.

Aim:To investigate the influence of various environmental factors on the rate of transpiration

Background: Transpiration is a key process in plants where water is absorbed by the roots and
then moved to the leaves. This helps plants have a steady flow of water and nutrients, supporting
their growth and the process of photosynthesis. The rate of transpiration can be influenced by
environmental factors like wind, which can change how quickly water is lost through tiny
openings on the leaf surface called stomata.

Materials/Apparatus:
1. Measuring cylinders
2. Oil
3. Water
4. Plant
5. Dropper
6. Cotton wool
7. Fan
8. Scale
9. Workbench (for moderate air movement)

Method:

1. Two 100 ml measuring cylinders were labeled as A and B.

2. 90 ml of distilled water was poured into each measuring cylinder.
3. Two sections from a fresh, well-watered plant were cut, ensuring similar lengths and
numbers of leaves.
4. One plant cutting was placed in each measuring cylinder and the new water volume was
recorded as the initial volume.
5. 3 drops of vegetable oil were added down the sides of each cylinder using a dropper to
create a waterproof seal.
6. Cotton wool was carefully positioned on top of the oil to secure the plant cutting without
disturbing the oil layer.
7. Cylinder A was placed directly in front of a high-speed fan and cylinder B on the
workbench to experience moderate air movement.
8. The change in water volume in each cylinder was recorded at five-minute intervals for 60
minutes.
9. The rate of transpiration (ml/min) was calculated by analyzing the change in volume over
time.
 10. The results were tabulated and a graph with (time) on the x axis and water loss (ml) on
the y-axis was plotted.

Results:

TABLE SHOWING THE EFFECT OF WIND ON THE RATE OF TRANSPIRATION

Volume/ml

Experimental (Fan) Control (Moderate air)

Time/min
Measurement Water loss Measurement Water loss

0 90.00 0.0 90.00 0.0

5 89.80 0.2 89.80 0.2

10 89.60 0.4 89.70 0.3

15 88.40 1.6 89.50 0.5

20 88.20 1.8 89.40 0.6

25 88.00 2.0 89.30 0.7

30 87.80 2.2 89.20 0.8

35 87.60 2.4 89.10 0.9

40 87.40 2.6 89.00 1.0

45 87.20 2.8 88.90 1.1

50 87.00 3.0 88.80 1.2

55 86.80 3.2 88.80 1.3

60 86.60 3.4 88.70 1.4

Calculations:

Rate of Transpiration= Volume or mass of water loss/ Time Duration

For experimental total water loss:

= 90.00-86.60 =3.4 ml

= 3.4 ml /60 min

=0.06 ml/min

For control, total water loss:

= 90-88.70= 1.3ml

= 1.3 ml/60

=0.02ml/min

Discussion:
Transpiration is an important process for plants, crucial for their development and survival. It
plays a key role in absorbing water from the soil and moving nutrients through the plant's tubes.
Moreover, it helps in regulating temperature by releasing heat through water evaporation from
the leaf surface and aids in photosynthesis by providing the necessary water for making
carbohydrates. The data on water loss over time further highlights the significance of
transpiration. The experiment started with an initial volume of 90.00 ml of water in both the
experimental and control setups. After 5 minutes, there was a slight decrease in water volume in
both setups, indicating minimal transpiration occurring at the beginning of the experiment.As the
experiment progressed, the volume of water loss increased gradually in both setups, but the rate
of water loss was higher in the experimental setup with the fan compared to the control setup
without the fan.This difference in water loss between the experimental and control setups
indicates that the presence of wind (simulated by the fan) increases the rate of transpiration in
plants.
The movement of water within plant leaves is intricately linked to transpiration through the
transpiration stream. As water evaporates from stomatal openings during transpiration, it creates
a suction, pushing water upward from roots through xylem vessels. This continuous water flow
ensures nutrient distribution and maintains plant structure. The graph illustrating water loss over
time depicts a steady increase, indicating continuous water movement within the plant due to
transpiration. This upward trend reflects the plant's need to absorb water from the soil and
transport it via xylem vessels to support physiological functions. Analysis of the data reveals a
significant impact of wind on transpiration rates. Higher wind speeds corresponded with
increased rates due to the elimination of the humid air layer around leaves, causing rapid water
evaporation and enhanced transpiration. This causal relationship underscores the influence of
environmental factors on plant transpiration.Variations among different experimental groups
may result from changes in environmental conditions, plant health, or measurement techniques,
underlining the importance of maintaining consistency. Using the same plant species in the
experiment is crucial for controlling biological differences, ensuring that insights into the
specific environmental factor under examination are confidently established. A potential follow-
up experiment exploring the influence of humidity on transpiration could provide valuable
information on how varying atmospheric moisture levels affect water loss from leaves,
contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between
environmental factors and plant transpiration.

Precautions:

1. Take precise measurements of initial and final water volumes in the measuring
cylinders to obtain reliable data.
2. Make sure that light, temperature, and humidity are kept the same throughout the
experiment to reduce potential variations.

Limitations:
1. The results might only apply to the plants we used, not necessarily to all plants.
2. The brief 60-minute experiment may not fully capture long-term effects, and if plants are
exposed to varied environmental conditions for an extended period, the results may
differ.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, investigating how different environmental factors impact transpiration rates
provided valuable information. The experiments demonstrated that both wind speed and
humidity have an influence on transpiration rates.