The transpiration rate of a plant cutting is affected by the wind speed of the air in the atmosphere surrounding it.

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PLAN

HYPOTHESIS:

The transpiration rate of a plant cutting is affected by the wind speed of the air in the atmosphere surrounding it.

I think that the transpiration rate of a plant will increase if the wind speed increases. In the absence of any air movement the water vapour which diffuses from the stomata accumulates near the leaf surface. This reduces the water potential gradient between the moist atmosphere in the stomata and the drier air outside. The transpiration rate is thus reduced. Any movement of air tends to disperse the humid layer at the lead surface, thus increasing the transpiration rate. The faster the wind speed, the more rapidly the moist air is removed and the greater the rate of transpiration.

METHOD:

In order to investigate that wind speed affects the transpiration rate of a plant I will measure the transpiration rate of a plant shoot cutting using a photometer and a fan where I will regulate different wind speed and then measure the transpiration rate at different wind speeds.

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The experiment will be carried out as follows:

  • Cut a leafy shoot off a plant under water
  • Submerging the photometer, fill it with water, using the syringe to help pump out any air bubbles, fit the leafy shoot to the rubber tube, ensuring a tight fit.
  • Remove the apparatus from the water and allow excess water to drain off. Gently shake the shoot to remove as much water as possible
  • Seal joints around the rubber tube with Vaseline to keep the apparatus watertight
  • Introduce an air bubble into the water column by using the syringe to push ...

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