7.1.3

Investigating Transpiration

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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 distance 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

Cell Structure

2

Biological Molecules

3

Enzymes

4

Cell Membranes & Transport

5

The Mitotic Cell Cycle

6

Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

7

Transport in Plants

8

Transport in Mammals

9

Gas Exchange

10

Infectious Diseases

11

Immunity

12

Energy & Respiration (A2 Only)

13

Photosynthesis (A2 Only)

14

Homeostasis (A2 Only)

15

Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

16

Inherited Change (A2 Only)

17

Selection & Evolution (A2 Only)

18

Classification & Conservation (A2 Only)

19

Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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