Question

Does transpiration serve any useful function in plants? Explain.

Answer 1

Hint: Transpiration is a biological process by which water is lost from plants in the form of water vapour through tiny pores present in the leaves and other aerial parts of the plant.

Complete Answer:
Transpiration is the process of loss of water through the stomata present on the leaves of plants. Stomata are the minute openings present on the lower epidermis of the leaf surface. These stomata help plants in exchange of gases as it allows carbon dioxide to enter the interior of the leaf and allow oxygen to exit during the process of photosynthesis.

Transpiration is said to provide the energy to transport water in the plant and may aid in heat dissipation in direct sunlight. Transpiration helps plants to supply water from roots to top parts of plants thereby distributing water to all parts of the plant.

Some of the important functions of transpiration in plants are:
- It helps in maintenance of cell turgidity and it also helps in cell division.
- It helps in maintenance of water within the plant as water is eliminated from the plant continuously.
- The cooling effect of trees is because of transpiration.
- It cools down the surface of the leaves.
- It also helps in growth and development.
- It regulates the temperature of the plants.
- It allows the movement of water and minerals from the soil to different parts of the plant.

Note: There are a few drawbacks of transpiration, they are,
- A huge amount of energy is used/ released during the process of transpiration.
- The process of transpiration is slowed down if the water absorbed by the root is not sufficient.
- It can lead to excess loss of water in case of xerophytes.