Question

In mesophytes, maximum transpiration occurs through
A. Cuticle
B. Lenticel
C. Stomata
D. Hydathodes

Answer 1

Hint: Mesophytes represent the group of plants that grow in situations that are neither too wet nor too dry. They are terrestrial plants that do not have any extreme adaptations.

Complete answer:
Transpiration is a process of evaporation or exhalation of water in the form of water vapor from a plant through its aerial parts such as leaves, stems, or flowers.
A. Cuticle- Cuticle is a waxy impermeable covering on the surface of the leaves of the plants. Evaporation of water from the cuticle of the plants is known as cuticular transpiration. About five to ten percent of the water is lost through cuticular transpiration. During the dry day conditions, more water is transpired through the cuticles.
B. Lenticel- Lenticels are small openings in the woody bark of branches and twigs. Evaporation of water from lenticels is known as lenticular transpiration. A small amount of water is lost through the lenticels. Lenticels are not present in all plants.
C. Stomata- Stomata is minute specialized pores present on the surface of the leaves. Stomata transpired most of the water. Evaporation of water through stomata is known as stomatal transpiration. The water present on the surface of the leaves converts into vapor form when the stomata are open.
D. Hydathodes- Hydathode is a type of specialized pore mainly found in angiosperms (flowering plants) that secrets or exude water droplets through the pores in the epidermis of leaf margin.
In mesophytes, over ninety percent of the water evaporation occurs through the stomatal transpiration. They have a higher rate of transpiration. Stomata are present on the lower epidermis of the mesophytic plants.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Water is essential for plants but only a small amount of water is taken up by the roots for growth and metabolism. The remaining water of the plant is lost via transpiration and guttation. Plants transpired for cooling and pumping water and minerals to the leaves for photosynthesis.