Question

Leaves of a healthy potted plant were coated with Vaseline to block stomata. Will this plant remain healthy for long?

Answer 1

Hint:The opening of stomata helps in the gaseous exchange during transpiration. Transpiration is the process by which a plant loses water from its aerial parts, such as leaves, stems, etc. Regulation of transpiration is made with the help of opening and closing of stomata. Stomatal opening helps in the gaseous exchange.

Complete answer:
Coating the leaves of a potted plant with Vaseline will block the stomata and plant will get unhealthy due to the following reason:
There will be no gaseous exchange.
Vaseline layer hinders from receiving sunlight and affects the process of photosynthesis.
No transpiration will take place and the plant will die.
Transpiration is the process by which a plant loses water from its aerial parts, such as leaves, stems, etc. Water is essential for plants but the majority of water is lost through transpiration. About only 1% of the absorbed water is used for growth and metabolism.Types of transpiration in plants:
> Stomatal transpiration
> Lenticular transpiration
> Cuticular transpiration
Regulation of transpiration by the opening and closing of stomata
Stomata are the openings or pores present on the lower side of the leaves. It helps in the gaseous exchange. When these pores open the rate of transpiration increases, and when the pores are closed, the water loss reduces.
Importance of transpiration to the plants
The process makes cell turgid, lowers leaf surface temperature.
Drawbacks of transpiration
Transpiration causes water loss. So, it can damage the plants and can cause:
> Desiccation
> Wilting of the leaves
> Stunted growth of the plants.

Note: Transpiration is the loss of water from plants. Majorly it occurs at the leaves while the stomata perform the gaseous exchange. It performs transpiration pull that helps water upward movement from the roots to top.