CHAPTER 2

2.3 TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN PLANTS

INTRODUCTION

Observe the plants in your school garden

in the morning and when you are on
your way home on a hot afternoon. What
differences do you notice?

When a plant wilts, there is not enough

water inside the plant because it is
losing more water than it is absorbing
from the soil.
So, what is the process when a plant
losing water?

TRANSPIRATION

Transpiration is

The process by which a plant

loses water, in the form of water
vapour, from its leaves to the
environment.

The water vapour passes out of the leaf

through tiny pores called stomata.

Diagram of stomata

More stomata are found on the lower

epidermis of the leaf compared to the
upper epidermis.
Do you know why? HOTS Question

The upper side of a leaf is

always exposed to direct
sunlight and heat. In order to
reduce the amount of water lost
through the stomata, the leaf
has a lesser number of stomata
on its upper side.

What is STOMATA?

Stomata (plural); Stoma (singular);

Is a tiny pore between a pair of cells
known as guard cells.
Guard cells control the opening and
closing of the stoma.

Diagram stomata

The opening and closing of the stomata

An open stoma.
The stomata of plants are
normally open during the
day to allow the exchange
of carbon dioxide and
oxygen. This take place
during photosynthesis. The
opening of the stomata
also results in the loss of
water by transpiration .

A
closed
stoma.
The stomata
of a plant may
be closed on a
hot
day
to
reduce
the
loss of water
by
transpiration.

Table 1.
Comparison of photosynthesis and respiration
Photosynthesis

Respiration

Produces sugars from light energy

Stores energy
Occurs only in cells with
chloroplasts
Releases oxygen
Uses water
Uses carbon dioxide
Requires light

Burns sugars for energy

Releases energy
Occurs in most cells
Uses oxygen
Produces water
Produces carbon dioxide
Occurs in dark and light