Aim : To study the effect of air movement on the rate of transpiration

Problem statement : How does air movement affect the rate of transpiration?

Hypothesis : The faster the movement of air, the greater the rate of transpiration.

Manipulated variable : Air Movement

Responding variable : Rate of transpiration

Controlled variable : Type and size of plant, light intensity, relative humidity

Materials : Leafy plant, Vaseline, a dry cloth, water

Apparatus : Potometer, stopwatch, ruler, knife, beaker, rubber stopper with holes,

tissue paper, fan and basin

Technique : Measure and record the distance travelled by air bubble in 5 minutes

Procedure:

1. The potometer is immersed in water to remove all air bubbles.

2. The screw clip is opened to fill the capillary tube with water.
3. A leafy shoot is cut in water.
4. The end of the shoot is pushed through the hole in the rubber stopper under water.
5. A beaker of water is placed at the end of the capillary tube.
6. The screw clip is closed and the potometer is removed from the water.
7. The surface of the leaves and stems are wiped with tissue paper.
8. Vaseline is spread around the stem and the rubber stopper to ensure the potometer is airtight.
9. The potometer is left aside until the air bubble in the capillary tube is moving steadily.
10. The distance travelled by air bubble after 5 minutes is recorded.
11. Steps 9 to 10 are repeated twice and the mean time is calculated.
12. Steps 9 to 10 are repeated by placing the potometer below a moving fan.
13. The rate of respiration is calculated by using the following formula:
𝑥
Rate of respiration = cm/minute
5
Results:

Air movement Distance travelled by air bubble in 5 minutes Rate of transpiration,

𝑥
1st reading 2nd reading 3rd reading Average cm/minute
5

Still air

Fast moving air

(fast-moving fan)

Discussion:

1. Why must the leafy shoot be cut in water for this experiment?
To prevent air bubbles from forming inside the xylem vessels of the shoot.

2. What does the movement of air bubbles in the potometer indicates?

The transpiration is occurring.

3. Why the rate of transpiration is higher in fast moving air?

The air movement helps to remove the water vapour which diffuses out from the stomata and
accumulates near the leaf surface. Hence, the faster the air movement, the faster the loss of
water vapour.

Conclusion:

The hypothesis is accepted. The faster the movement of air, the greater the rate of transpiration.