Transpiration (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science): Revision Note

Transpiration

• Water travels up xylem from the roots into the leaves of the plant to replace the water that has been lost due to transpiration

• Transpiration is defined as:

the loss of water vapour from plant leaves through the stomata

Transpiration in plants

• Transpiration has several functions in plants:

  • transporting mineral ions

  • providing water to keep cells turgid in order to support the structure of the plant

  • providing water to leaf cells for photosynthesis

  • keeping the leaves cool (the conversion of water (liquid) into water vapour (gas) as it leaves the cells and enters the airspace requires heat energy. The using up of heat to convert water into water vapour helps to cool the plant down)