7.2.7

Investigating Transpiration Rate

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Investigating Transpiration Rate

The rate of transpiration can be influenced by a number of factors. An experiment can be set up using a potometer to estimate transpiration rate. The steps involved are:

1) Assemble the potometer

1) Assemble the potometer

  • A potometer is a piece of equipment that is used to estimate the volume of water taken up by a plant in a given time.
  • The potometer is filled with water and a cutting of a shoot is placed inside.
  • The shoot must be cut and placed into the potometer while underwater to ensure no air enters the xylem.
2) Form the air bubble

2) Form the air bubble

  • Remove the end of the capillary tube from the water beaker.
  • Wait for a bubble of air to form in the capillary tube.
  • Place the capillary tube back into the water.
  • The air bubble is used to record the volume of water used by the shoot.
3) Record bubble movement

3) Record bubble movement

  • Mark the starting position of the air bubble.
  • Use a stopwatch to record the distanced moved by the air bubble in a given time period.
4) Calculate transpiration rate

4) Calculate transpiration rate

  • Calculate the rate of movement of the bubble per hour.
  • The rate of bubble movement is equal to the transpiration rate.
5) Change the variable

5) Change the variable

  • The experiment can be repeated by changing a different variable each time (e.g. temperature or light).
  • It is important to only change one variable at one time and to keep all other conditions constant.
  • Changing one variable allows the effects of an environmental factor on transpiration rate to be compared.
Jump to other topics
1

Unity & Diversity - Molecules

2

Unity & Diversity - Cells

3

Unity & Diversity - Organisms

4

Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

5

Form & Function - Molecules

6

Form & Function - Cells

7

Form & Function - Organisms

8

Form & Function - Ecosystems

9

Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

10

Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

11

Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

12

Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1

Populations & Communities

12.2

Transfers of Energy & Matter

13

Continuity & Change - Molecules

14

Continuity & Change - Cells

15

Continuity & Change - Organisms

16

Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

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