Effect of ‘Wind Speed’ on the Rate of Transpiration of Plants.

The aim of the experiment:

The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effect of ‘wind speed’ on the rate of transpiration of plants.

Introduction:

Water is essential for all living organisms. Plants use water together with carbon dioxide gas to photosynthesize and, as a result, produce glucose that they use as a source of food.

Plants can uptake water from the soil through their roots. The water then passes along the xylem vessels of the plants and into the leaves.

Plants sometimes can lose water. Transpiration is the process of water evaporating from the stomata of a plant. Many environmental factors have different effects on the turgidity of the guard cells which control stomata function and transpiration.

It is difficult, however, to determine the effect of individual factors strictly in the field condition, because in nature it is not possible to change one factor without changing other factors.

In this experiment, however, we are going to measure the effect of wind speed on the rate of transpiration, and we will try to keep other conditions constant. We will use two similar types of plants, set them up in a measuring cylinder, measure their weights and then keep one of the plants faced to a fan and the other plant in normal wind condition.

We will find out the affect of wind speed by measuring the weight of both plants after 24 hours time.

Procedure:

Dependent Variables:

• Wind speed across the leaves.

Independent Variables:

• Amount of water.

• Mass and sort of measuring cylinder.

• Same type of plant.

Materials used:

• Leafy shoot

• Measuring cylinders

• Water

• Oil

• Pencil/paper for recording

• Dropper

• Scale

• Fan

Method:

• Obtain two leafy, non-woody plants and wash its roots carefully.

• Stand each plant in a separate 20cm measuring cylinder.

• Pour water into the measuring cylinder up to the top mark.

• Carefully run a little oil into the measuring cylinder so that it forms a...