The rate of transpiration is influenced by any number of things. Image credit wordpress.com

The rate of transpiration is influenced by any number of things. Image credit wordpress.com

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes:Factors affecting rate of transpiration

  • The rate of transpiration varies from plant to plant and day to day.
  • Environmental factors affect the rate of transpiration for example wind, heat, dry air and light all speed up the transpiration process.
  • Plants that have many large leaves will lose more water than plants with fewer and smaller leaves.
  • This is because water loss in plants increases where the surface area is larger.
  • There are microscopic holes on the surface of plant leaves.
  • These are called stomata.
  • Leaves with a higher number of stomata per square centimeter (that is a higher stomata density) lose more water than leaves with fewer stomata.
  • Transpiration occurs at a higher rate in plants that have not adapted to drier conditions.

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.