Tag: mineral absorption

In plants, gas exchange occurs through small pores in the leaf surface called stomata. Stomata can open to allow the exchange of gasses and close to reduce water loss from the plant. In the covering of the secondary structure of the stem of woody plants gas exchange is made through the lenticels of the periderm (small breaches of the cork). The cork of mature roots is also perforated by non-suberized pores called lenticels. These enable oxygen to reach the intercellular spaces of the interior tissues and carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere.

Transpiration is essentially similar to evaporation of water. It is the loss of water in vapour form through stomata. Water molecules tend to remain in the liquid state rather than moving to vapour state; so during evaporation water molecules absorb a lot of heat energy, this generates a cooling effect.

The plant uses only $1\%$ of the absorbed water for its own needs the rest of the water is lost in the atmosphere through transpiration.

Most acceptable theory for the ascent of sap is the 'Physical force theory', called as 'Cohesion-Tension' or 'Cohesion-Transpiration pull theory'. This theory was put forward by Dixon and Joly. According to this theory ascent of sap in plants is a physical process, the lifting force for which is provided by the pulling force generated by transpiration. 

Stomata can regulate the rate of transpiration by simply controlling how open or closed they are (via the guard cells). Stomata that are open wider will facilitate a greater rate of transpiration, while stomata that are more narrowly opened will reduce the rate of transpiration.

When plants use solar energy for the synthesis of their food, only a small part of solar energy used,  rest of the part of this energy evaporate from the surface of leaves by the process of transpiration and due to its high latent heat. It is the best material for disposing excess  solar energy.

In weighing method of transpiration measurement there is loss in weight b the plant due to loss of water due to transpiration.

The forces of cohesion (attraction among water molecules) and adhesion (attraction between water molecules and the walls of the xylem vessels), together help to form a thin, unbroken column of water which leads to the mass flow of water in apoplastic pathways. These forces act due to the cohesive and adhesive properties of water. In plants, the capillarity is aided by the small diameter of the tracheary elements like the tracheids and the vessel elements. The proton pump has no role in the facilitation of water and minerals.

Curtis proclaimed that transpiration is a necessary evil. Stomata allows gaseous exchange. Carbon dioxide is taken in for its fixation by Calvin cycle and oxygen produced during the photolysis is given out. This gaseous exchange takes place by the process of diffusion. When the stomata open for the gaseous exchange, the water vapor is lost by the process of transpiration.

Water moves from high water potential to less water potential. Also it is assumed that transpiration loss of water equals water absorption. In saline water there will be less of transpiration loss as absorption will be less. Consequently there are less chances of wilting.