Rate of Transpiration
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.5.4
Factors Affecting the Rate of Transpiration
Transpiration transports water and the minerals dissolved in it through the plant. Factors affecting transpiration rates include:
Temperature
- Increased temperature makes water evaporate faster, which increases the rate of transpiration.
Humidity
- Increased humidity increases the amount of water in the air. This makes it more difficult for more water to evaporate.
- Increasing humidity decreases the rate of transpiration.
Light intensity
- Increased light intensity makes water evaporate faster, which increases the rate of transpiration.
Air flow
- Increased air flow carries water away from the plant's leaves, encouraging more water to evaporate.
- Increased air flow increases the rate of transpiration.
Test yourself on Rate of Transpiration
Why does increased air flow around a plant increase its rate of transpiration?
A gardener moves a plant from a cool, still room into a warm, windy garden. What will happen to its rate of transpiration?
Which condition causes a faster rate of transpiration?
Two plants are kept at the same warm temperature. One is in a humid greenhouse and the other is in dry air. Why does the plant in the humid greenhouse have a slower rate of transpiration?