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Factors Affecting Transpiration Rate

Part of Transpiration · GCSE GCSE Biology revision

This deep dive covers Factors Affecting Transpiration Rate within Transpiration for GCSE Biology. Transpiration process, stomatal control, factors affecting rate, plant adaptations, measuring transpiration, and practical investigations It is section 6 of 21 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 6 of 21

Practice

21 questions

Recall

25 flashcards

Factors Affecting Transpiration Rate

1. Temperature

  • Effect: Higher temperature → faster transpiration
  • Mechanism: Increases kinetic energy of water molecules
  • Result: More evaporation from mesophyll surfaces
  • Doubling: 10°C rise can double transpiration rate

2. Humidity

  • Effect: Lower humidity → faster transpiration
  • Mechanism: Steeper water vapor concentration gradient
  • Gradient: Leaf interior (100% humidity) vs dry air (low %)
  • Desert conditions: Very low humidity drives rapid water loss

3. Wind/Air Movement

  • Effect: More wind → faster transpiration
  • Mechanism: Removes water vapor from leaf surface
  • Boundary layer: Wind disrupts humid air layer around leaf
  • Maintains gradient: Prevents saturation near stomata

4. Light Intensity

  • Effect: Brighter light → faster transpiration
  • Mechanism: Light causes stomata to open for photosynthesis
  • Day/night: Most transpiration during daylight hours
  • Wavelength: Blue light most effective at opening stomata

5. Water Availability

  • Soil water: Dry soil reduces water uptake and transpiration
  • Feedback: Water stress causes stomatal closure
  • Wilting point: When transpiration exceeds uptake

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Transpiration. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Stomata: The Control ValvesMeasuring TranspirationThe Hidden Power of Water LossKey Facts About Transpiration

Practice Questions for Transpiration

What is transpiration?

  • A. The evaporation of water from plant leaves through stomata
  • B. The movement of sugars through phloem
  • C. The absorption of water by root hair cells
  • D. The process of photosynthesis in leaves
1 markfoundation

Describe the three stages of transpiration in a leaf.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is a xerophyte?
A plant adapted to survive in dry/arid conditions with limited water availability (e.g., cacti, marram grass).
What is a potometer?
An apparatus that measures the rate of water uptake by a plant shoot. Used to estimate transpiration rate (though actually measures uptake, not loss).

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Stomata: The Control Valves

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Measuring Transpiration