Transpiration Definition
“Transpiration is the biological process by which water is lost in the form of water vapour from the aerial parts of the plants.”
Transpiration in Plants
Like all living organisms, plants also require an excretory system to discharge excess water from their body. This process of elimination of excess water from the plant body is known as transpiration. It is generally the evaporation of water from the surface of the leaves.
During the process of transpiration, water molecules in the plant tissues are removed from the aerial parts of the plants. Only a small amount of water absorbed by the plants is utilised in growth and development. The rest is eliminated in the form of transpiration.
Types of Transpiration
There are three different types of transpiration in plants:
Stomatal Transpiration
It is the evaporation of water from the stomata of the plants. Most of the water from the plants is transpired this way. The water near the surface of the leaves changes into vapour and evaporates when the stomata are open.
Lenticular Transpiration
Lenticels are minute openings in the bark of branches and twigs. Evaporation of water from the lenticels of the plants is known as lenticular transpiration.
Lenticels are not present in all the plants. A minimal amount of water is lost through lenticels.
Cuticular Transpiration
It is the evaporation of water from the cuticle of the plants. The cuticle is a waxy covering on the surface of the leaves of the plants. About 5-10% of the water from the leaves is lost through cuticular transpiration. During dry conditions when the stomata are closed, more water is transpired through the cuticles.
Factors Affecting Transpiration in Plants
Different factors affecting the rate of transpiration are:
Cellular Factors
The cellular factors affecting the rate of transpiration are:
- The orientation of the leaf,
- The water status of the plant,
- Structural Peculiarities of the leaf,
- Total number and distribution of stomata in a leaf.
Environmental Factors
The environmental factors affecting the rate of transpiration are:
- Light,
- Humidity,
- Temperature,
- Atmospheric pressure,
- Wind speed or velocity.
Relative Humidity
The amount of water vapour present in the air at a particular time and temperature is expressed as a percentage of the amount required for saturation at the same temperature. The rate of transpiration is inversely proportional to relative humidity. More the relative humidity less is the transpirate rate.
Temperature
A high temperature lowers the relative humidity and opens the stomata even in darkness. As a result, the rate of transpiration increases.
Light
The stomata open during the day and close in the dark. The presence of light is directly proportional to the rate of transpiration.
Air
If the air is still, the transpiration rate is low. This is because the water vapour accumulates around the transpiring organs and reduces the diffusion pressure deficit of the air.
If the air is moving, the saturated air around the leaves is removed and the transpiration rate increases.
Water Availability
The transpiration rate is directly proportional to the absorption of water by the roots from the soil. A decrease in water absorption causes the closure of stomata and wilting, thereby reducing the rate of transpiration.
Surface Area of the Leaves
A leaf having more surface area will show more transpiration rate than the leaf with a lesser surface area.
Ascent of Saps
When water evaporates through the leaves, a pull is created through the xylem, and water moves back to the leaves. This is known as the transpiration pull.
The ascent of sap that is driven by transpiration depends on the following properties of water:
- Cohesion – This is the mutual attraction between molecules of water.
- Adhesion – The attraction of water molecules towards polar surfaces.
- Surface tension – The molecules of water are more attracted to each other in the liquid phase than in the gas phase.
Stomata consist of a pair of guard cells with an aperture in between. It remains open during the daytime and is closed at night. The reason for the opening and closing of this structure is the turgidity of guard cells.
The interior wall of the guard cells present towards the aperture is dense and flexible. The stomata open when the turgidity of the guard cells increases. The exterior walls bulge out, and the interior walls form a crescent shape.
The orientation of the microfibrils in the guard cells also plays an important role in the opening of the stomata. The radial orientation of the microfibrils makes it easier for the stomata to open. The stomata close when the turgidity of the guard cells decreases due to the water loss and the interior walls form a crescent shape and retrieve their original shape.
In dicots, the lower side of leaves has more stomata while in monocots, both sides have an equal number of stomata.
Significance of Transpiration in Plants
The significance of transpiration is explained below:
- Transpiration helps in the conduction of water and minerals to different parts of the plants.
- Due to the continuous elimination of water from the plant body, there is a balance of water maintained within the plant.
- It maintains osmosis and keeps the cells rigid.
- A suction force is created by transpiration that helps in the upward movement of water in the plants.
- Certain hydrophilic salts are accumulated on the surface of the leaves, which keeps the leaves moist.
- It maintains the turgidity of the cells and helps in cell division.
- Optimum transpiration helps in the proper growth of the plants.
- The cooling effect of a tree is due to the evaporation of water from its leaves.
In addition to the significance, transpiration has a few drawbacks:
- Transpiration slows down if the transpired water is not compensated by absorption from the soil.
- A lot of energy is released during transpiration.
- Plenty of unnecessary water is absorbed by the plants during the process.
Conclusion
Transpiration in plants is a crucial process. In the absence of transpiration, excess water will accumulated in the plant cells, and the cells will eventually burst. More than 10% of the earth’s moisture is from transpiration. It is known to be a part of the water cycle.
To know more about transpiration in plants, its definition, types, process, factors affecting transpiration rate and other related topics, keep visiting BYJU’S Biology or download BYJU’S app for further reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What is transpiration?
Transpiration is the biological process of removal of excess water from the aerial parts of the plants.
Q2 What are the different types of transpiration in plants?
There are the following different types of transpiration in plants:
- Stomatal transpiration
- Lenticular transpiration
- Cuticular transpiration
Q3 How do the opening and closing of stomata regulate the transpiration process?
Stomata are minute pores present on the lower side of the leaves that help in the exchange of gases and water vapour. When the stomatal pores open the rate of transpiration increases, and when the pores are closed, the loss of water is reduced.
Q4 How is transpiration important to the plants?
The process of transpiration keeps the cell turgid, cools the surface of the leaves, and helps in the movement of minerals from the soil to different parts of the plant.
Q5 What are the drawbacks of transpiration?
Transpiration results in water scarcity that can damage the plants due to desiccation. It also causes wilting of the leaves and results in stunted growth of the plants.
