Burhan Riaz IB Biology HL/Period 3 Richard Snodgrass Humiditys Effect on Transpiration Introduction:

Spruce Creek High School Planning Date: 09/29/08 Execution Date: 09/30/08

The accurate description of transpiration is the loss of water from plant leaves. Environmental factors play a major role in the rate of transpiration in every day plants (Perlman). As water exits the leaf through acute spaces in the leaf called the stomata, the rate of transpiration changes according to solar radiation, temperature, wind, and misting (Perlman). Transpiration in plants is similar to transpiration in animals since both are used for related purposes. One major purpose for this process is to cool the organism to a certain level in order to maintain the best possible conditions for optimum metabolic activity (Ritter). Low humidity, for example, creates a gradient between the organism and the air, which initiates transpiration (Janes). Soil can affect transpiration depending on the size of pores between soil particles, which can cause low soil capillary, which makes it hard for the plant to attain moisture (Ritter). In particular, this experiment addresses three of the many transpiration-changing factors; Light intensity, relative humidity, and wind movement. Light Intensity The intensity of light is a controlling factor of the opening and closing of the stomata. Generally, low intensity is less effective than high intensity. Thus, the stomata often is not open as wide on a cloudy day as on clear days, and often do not remain open for as much of the daylight period (Perlman). Relative Humidity As the humidity relative to the plant increases around the organism, the rate of transpiration should fall since the plant has less reason to

transpire in that kind of situation. It is much easier for water to vaporize into dry air as apposed to saturated air (Perlman). Wind movement: Movement of air has shown to increase the transpiration rate since the moisture has less time to cool the plant due to the wind removing the water molecules before they have a chance to have an effect (Perlman). It should also be noted that although these factors will be measured, factors such as soilmoisture availability and type of plant would limit the experimentation and unfortunately vary the collected data (Janes). Since those factors are not controlled in this experiment, it may be difficult to deduce an accurate conclusion regarding the experiment. In this case, the effect of humidity or misting on transpiration will be measured in order to prove higher humidity causes a lower rate of transpiration.

Problem: Will the variation of humidity affect the rate of transpiration?

Hypothesis: If the level of humidity is measured and altered, then there will be an effect on the rate of transpiration on the plant. The effect should be the higher the humidity, the lower the transpiration rate since generally speaking, as the relative humidity of the air surrounding the plant rises, the transpiration rate falls. This makes it easier for water to evaporate into dryer air rather than into more saturated air. Based upon this generalization, the experiment should support the mentioned assumption although it must also be noted that uncontrolled factors may alter the final data and thus hamper the conclusion.

Independent Variable: Humidity (misting) Dependent Variable: Transpiration Controlled Variables: Materials: Using the same materials per trial is essential in this experiment in order to have a consistent means of measuring data. This however does not guarantee that all instruments will record data correctly since the data collected will be accumulated by different people at different times. Plant type: The species used in the experiment will have to be the same since different plants have varied reactions to factors of transpiration. (ex. Stomata may take more or less time to open than other plants) Testing Site: Testing will not be done in any other location besides original place of experimentation to reduce transpiration-related factors to affect the results. (ex. Lighting, humidity) Light Since light is a transpiration factor, light must stay consistent throughout the experiment to avoid trials from being different from each other. Humidity- This humidity is different from the humidity that is used as an independent variable, which will be done through misting. This humidity is already there, as an environmental factor, and it can stay constant if the experiment is done at a single location.

Materials: Arboricola This plant will be the standard organism to be measured.

Utility Clamps Secures the plant in place as well as the gas pressure sensor. Vernier Gas Pressure Sensor Determines the change in pressure when experiment is set up. Communicates with computer.

Vernier Logger Pro 3 Program used to record and analyze data from the gas pressure sensor.

Computer Displays the Vernier Logger Pro 3 program. Communicates with gas pressure sensor.

Ring Stand Provides upright support for the attached parts of the experiment (ex. Plant, gas pressure sensor)

Plastic Tubing Clamps Provides a link between the plant and the gas pressure sensor.

Metric Ruler Measures the surface area of the leaf. 100 Watt Light Source Provides light to the plant, alters transpiration rate. Scalpel Cuts the leaves off the plant. Syringe Transfers water to the plastic tube. Plant Mister Alters transpiration due to change in humidity.

This experiment involves no safety hazards and does not safety equipment. Procedure for Controlled Variables: 1. Materials, especially measuring instruments, should not be changed at any time during the experiment, as this will obstruct accurate data collection. When conducting the experiment, the materials used should be noticed by the scientists.

2. The Arbricola plant is to be used consistently since if any other plant was used, it may not correspond to the factors of transpiration these same way as the Arbricola plant. 3. Testing site cannot be changed amidst the trials as this would change the environmental factors that are already affecting the plants transpiration rate. 4. The intensity of light is a transpiration related-factor and cannot be changed. Using the same testing site will insure this. 5. The environmental humidity level is also a transpiration related-factor and cannot be changed. The same testing site should be used.

Procedure for Data Collection: 1. Attach two utility clamps on an upright ring stand. One should be higher than the other. 2. Attach the gas pressure sensor to the top utility clamp (Gravity of water). 3. Cut a piece of the plant where the leaf branches off and attach to bottom clamp. 4. Attach a plastic tube to the end of the branching part of the leaf. Vaseline may be used to secure in place. 5. Fill water with a syringe through the opposite side of the tube and attach to the gas pressure sensor. Avoid any air bubbles. 6. Connect the gas pressure sensor to a computer running Logger Pro 3.

7. To record data, click on Collect on the programs interface and click stop after 300 seconds. 8. To visually see the rate of transpiration, left click the interface and select Linear Fit. 9. To measure humidity, water is to be sprayed onto the plant with a mister. A constant amount of sprays should be used. Record data through Logger Pro 3. 10. Conduct multiple trials while minding the controlled variables. Raw Data: Controlled Group Statistics
Surface Area (cm2) 62 95 91 70.5 119.5 62.5 104 65 104.9 73 Temperature Relative Humidity 25.4 25.5 78.3 23.8 24.3 23.5 77.1 77 23.9 25.2 Light Y2 Y1 X2 654 300 903 100 328 139 217.8 361.5 421 400 X1 0 0 0 300 0 0 2.45 0 6 0 Slope -8.5E-05 -0.00178 -0.00124 -0.00053 -0.00113 -0.00585 -0.00012 -0.00017 0.002008 -0.00019

51.2 52.1 101.08 101.3 55.9 546 100.002 100.57 499 494.5 101.916 102.493 52 400 102.95 102.78 54.8 49.6 101.365 101.877 44.5 537 103.055 104 72.6 293.1 98.075 98.639 65 46.2 100.79 101.02 59.5 426 99.6 100.45 56.5 113 96.88 96.94 Humidified Group Statistics Light 79.8 47.6 251.3 67.4 310 97.8 25 400 410.6 Y2 105.295 100.858 102.84 100.51 101.25 101.538 100.238 102.72 102.69 100.2 Y1 105.384 101.189 103.06 100.85 101.4 101.6 100.173 102.84 102.75 100.45

Surface Area (cm2) 49 65 61 71 56.5 57 53 67.5 96 36.5

Temperature Relative Humidity 78.5 69.4 81.3 77.4 82.5 25.8 84.6 75.7 91.7 75 78.5 24.33 78.1 25.4 85.3 24.8 87.1 78.5 56.5 25.4

X2 264.4 299.2 400 362.6 251.7 306 70.6 299 291 300

X1 0 0.6 0 18.7 0 0 1.7 26 0 0

Slope -7.113E-05 -0.00057 1.91E-05 -0.00034 0.000594 -0.00034 -0.00027 -0.0001 -0.0002 -0.002

Transformed Data: Slope (Kilo Pascals) Divided by Surface Area (cm2)

Control -1.374 E -6 -1.875 E -5 -1.362 E -5 -7.506 E -6 -9.423 E -6 -9.36 E -5 -1.146 E -5 -2.568 E -6 1.914 E -5 -2.548 E -6 -1.248 E -5 -5.739 E -6 -2.911 E -6 Humidity -1.45163E-06 -8.76923E-06 3.13115E-07 -4.78873E-06 1.05133E-05 -5.96491E-06 -5.09434E-06 -1.48148E-06 -2.08333E-06 -5.47945E-06 N/A

N/A N/A Transformed Statistics

(Kilo pascals/ cm2) Mean Median Standard Deviation Sample Variance Range Minimum Maximum Sum Discussion:

Control -1.253 E -5 -7.507 E -6 2.60 E -5 6.761 E -10 1.127 E -4 -9.36 E -5 1.914 E -5 -1.628 E -4

Humidity -2.43E-06 -3.44E-06 5.29E-06 2.79E-11 1.65E-05 -5.96491E-06 1.05133E-05 -2.42867E-05

My hypotheses can be proven correct by the raw and transformed data. If the raw data is looked upon in a simple manner, it is easy to realize that individual transpiration rates are smaller than the individual control group transpirations. This is what was to be expected in the first place since positive humidity has a negative correlation with the rate of transpiration. In the transformed data, the mean rate of transpiration, -3.44E-06, is less than the mean of the controlled rate of transpiration, 1.253 E 5. Again this reconfirms that there is a difference and it seems that when increased humidity is applied, the rate of transpiration is decreased. Not all of the data can be correct since the sample variation for the controlled group is 6.761E-10 while the humidified group has a variation of 2.79E-11. Although there are discrepancies in the total raw data, all of the transformed data recorded is in favor of the original hypothesis and confirms the generalization about the negative effect of humidity of transpiration. Unfortunately, what could not be measured were the PValues and the T-Values. These values would greatly help support hypothetical claim, particularly if the P-Value were below .05. This brings the question whether our transformed data is enough to have a concrete conclusion about this problem. If this experiment could be redone, the P-value would have a lot of priority. This brings the question whether our transformed data

Evaluation:

Errors: This experiment was a major resource for errors and there is a lot of reason for it. First, many individuals were assigned to complete tasks only for a few times and under a time restraint that at times might of made them accidentally not follow part of the procedure or not maintain the controlled variables. Materials especially may of caused some of the errors since a big volume of people were assigned to use them and might of forgotten to follow proper protocols. The environment was in a classroom lab with automatic air conditioning, which may have varied at times trying to keep a constant temperature. For example if a trial was under a vent while the air was blowing through, it would have different results that a trial that was not under a vent. Since other groups were working nearby the trials, air from blow dryers could have traveled to the trial and impacted the results.

Improvements: Although the results did come in favor of the original hypothesis that does not make the way our experiment handled professionally satisfying. There are many ways we could have improved the experiment. For example, an isolated environment where less factors could affect transpiration, would have made it easier to have clear results. Also control variables need to be coordinated through the different groups that were conducting the trials. Some data seemed to be in different units and could not be deciphered. Also, there seemed to be many extraneous results that may indicate error on someones part. Most of all, the P-value and the T-value need to be listed in the transformed data section of the data, which could help us confirm a solid conclusion.

Works Cited

Howard Perlman, Howard. "The Water Cycle: Transpiration." The Water Cycle (Water Science for Schools). 13 Aug. 2008. USGS. <http://http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html>. Janes, B. "Effect of Carbon Dioxide, Osmotic Potential of Nutrient Solution, and Light Intensity on Transpiration and Resistance to Flow of Water in Pepper Plants1." Plant Physiol 45 (1970). Ritter, Michael. "Transpiration." The Physical Environment. 21 July 2006. <http://http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/biogeography/transpirat ion.html>.