Title: Transpiration

Date:

Aim: To investigate the effect of humidity, wind speed and light intensity on the uptake of water by a
plant

Materials & Apparatus: leafy shoot, T-shaped tubing, lamp, fan, plastic bag (transparent), syringe,
capillary tube, retort stand and clamp, eosin dye, water, beaker, blotting paper

Diagram of Apparatus:

Method:

1. Fill a sink in the lab with water.

2. Obtain a leafy shoot from a shrub or tree.
3. Immerse the cut end of the shoot into the water as soon as possible after obtaining the shoot
and keep it submerged.
4. All other apparatus should also be kept submerged until the set up is complete.
5. Attach the T-shaped tubing to the shoot, syringe and graduated capillary tube as shown in
the diagram above.
6. Clamp the capillary tube to the retort stand with the bottom end of the tube in a beaker
containing eosin and water.
7. Lift the capillary tube out of the beaker; touch the end with a piece of blotting paper to
introduce an air bubble.
8. Quickly replace the tube in the beaker of eosin solution.
9. Record the distance the bubble travels in 5 minutes.
10. After this time has passed, push the bubble out of the tube with the syringe.
11. Repeat steps 9. – 11. using the same shoot
a. covered in a transparent plastic bag
b. blown on by a standing fan
c. illuminated with a desk lamp

Results:

Table showing transpiration in a leafy shoot under different environmental conditions

Environmental conditions of leafy shoot Distance travelled by air bubble in 5 minutes
/ cm
Ambient room conditions
Covered in transparent bag
Fan pointed at shoot
Desk lamp pointed at shoot

Discussion:
1. Background – Define the term transpiration. What is the transpiration stream? Why is it
important to plants? Describe how transpiration occurs using the concept of capillarity.
2. Explanation – Why was it important to dry the leaves before the start of the experiment?
How did using a transparent plastic bag, a desk lamp and an operating fan change the
 environment of the leafy shoot? Explain fully why the bubble travelled different distances
under the ambient, bagged, lamp and fan conditions.
3. Precautions/Sources of error/Limitations

Conclusion:
How does humidity, light intensity and wind speed affect transpiration rate?