BIOLOGY 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGY 2

Fourth Quarter: SY 2018-2019

Laboratory Activity #3: Demonstrating Transpiration

I. Introduction

Transpiration is the process in which plants, primarily through the stomata of the
leaves, release water inside it in the form of moisture or water vapor (Toppr, n.d.). It is the
“engine” that pulls water up from the roots to supply photosynthesis, bring materials from
the roots for biosynthesis within the leaf, and to cool the lead (Biology-Pages, n.d.). In this
experiment, we will demonstrate the process by which transpiration occurs and the
factors affecting such process. Moreover, in this experiment, the transpiration rate of the
plant will also be measured.

A. Objectives

This experiment aims to determine the transpiration rate of the plant used in the
experiment.

B. Hypothesis

The transpiration rate of the plant that we will use will have a relatively larger rate
of transpiration as the leaves are larger in size compared other plants.

II. Methodology

Gather plants with the roots then place the end of the plant in the water. The
end of the plant must always located under water and not exposed to air. Fill the beaker
with water then push the tip of the pipette into one end of the IV tube. Place the free-end of
the IV tube into the beaker then using an aspirator, pull the water up into the pipette
through the IV tube. After that, fill the pipette up to the 10 ml mark and cover the pipette so
that the water will not go back to the beaker. Next, in the plants that you have gathered,
look for a plant with a stem about the inside diameter of the rubber tubing. Remove the dirt
in the roots then place the roots in the beaker filled with water immediately. Cut off the
stem at a 45 degrees angle while the roots and the plant’s stem are under water. Take
away the rubber tubing-pipette-plant apparatus off the basin. Tighten the rubber tubing-
plant connection in the other clamp, making the IV tube form a “U” shape. Ensure that the
plant’s stem is always in contact with the water. Move the set-up to a site where there is
sunlight. After that, take note of the initial volume of the water in the pipette and measure
the corresponding decrease every 10 minutes for an hour.

III. Results

The loss of water in the setup for every 10 minutes was observed and the data
gathered are recorded in the following table:

Time Volume of Water (ml.) Water Loss

11:30 AM 10.40 -
11:40 AM 10.20 0.20
11:50 AM 10.05 0.15
12:00 PM 9.85 0.20
12:10 PM 9.75 0.10
12:20 PM 9.60 0.15
12:30 PM 9.50 0.10

The total leaf was determined to be

IV. Discussion
 The volume of the water in the calibrated pipette decreased as the setup was
exposed to intense sunlight as the rate of transpiration was increased as the water was
absorbed by the plant and was eventually released in the atmosphere via the plant’s
stomata. Such is in part because of physiological responses of the plant to sunlight
independently of temperature effects (Smith, 1936).

Transpiration drives the water from the setup (from the IV tube) to the stem, as
the root is absent from the plant that was used, to the leaves as transpiration is said to be
the force that drives water upwards from the lower features of the plant to the leaves,
where it ultimately leaves in the form water vapor. The water then leaves the system of
the plant through the stomata, where water exits (USGS, n.d.).

The rate of transpiration that was observed in our setup was relatively higher
compared to the other groups’ setups as the total leaf area of our plant was larger
compared to the plants of other groups. Such correlation is present because the number
of stomata in the surface of each leaf is bigger in leaves with larger surface areas, thus
the rate of transpiration is bigger as there are more stomata, through which the water
which entered the plant will escape into the atmosphere (Cropsreview.com, n.d.).

According to Cropsreview.com, plants transpire fastest under the following

climatic conditions: bright day, moist soil, warm temperature, and windy day. Light
intensity has a controlling effect on the opening of the stomata through which water
primarily escapes in gaseous state (Cropsreview.com). Humidity also has an effect on the
transpiration rate of a plant, as the stomata tend to close at moist air, thus limiting the exit
of water. Temperature is also the fastest when air temperature is between 20 0C to 300C.
At these temperatures, the stomata close at temperatures at freezing point
(Cropsreview.com). Wind also increases the transpiration rate of a plant by carrying away
the humid air and replaces it with drier air (Cropsreview.com).

V. Conclusion
In this activity, we tried to determine the transpiration rate of the plant
used in the experiment. We first constructed a hypothesis regarding the transpiration rate
of the plant. After that, we did all the procedures and tasks given to us and came up with
results. There were no experimental results that were different with that of our hypothesis
so we accepted our hypothesis.

VI. Appendices

A. Task List

Name Task Contributed Signature

Formoso, Jazryl Isaiah D.
Milo, Alyssa Nicole M.
Pasigui, Albert Matthew
M.
o Wrote the Conclusion
o Helped in constructing
the set-ups during the
experiment
o Wrote the methodology
o Helped in constructing
the set-ups during the
experiment
o Constructed the
Introduction
o Constructed the
Discussion
o Encoded the results
o Observed the setup and
recorded the loss of
water, as prescribed in
the protocol

B. Photo Documentation
 Figure 1. Tracing the leaves

Figure 2. The setup while being observed

REFERENCES

Evapotranspiration and the Water Cycle (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/special

topic/water-science-school/science/evapotranspiration-and-water-cycle?qt-
science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

Review: Plant Factors Influencing the Rate of Transpiration (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.cropsreview.com/rate-of-transpiration.html

Transpiration (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.biology-pages.info/T/Transpiration.html