The transpiration of plants and the functioning of stomata

5 days ago (Edited)

Evaporation in plants, a vital process known as transpiration, is much more than the simple loss of water, it is a complex and essential mechanism that drives multiple physiological functions, from the transport of nutrients to the regulation of temperature. Through tiny openings called stomata, mainly located at the bottom of the leaves, plants release water vapor into the atmosphere, creating a suction force that allows water to rise from the roots to the highest parts.

In the same vein and according to what was mentioned by Lira (2007), this process is not only crucial for the individual survival of the plant, but also plays a fundamental role in the global hydrological cycle, influencing weather patterns and water availability. Transpiration is a vital process for plants, comparable to sweating in animals.Through this mechanism, plants release water vapor into the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in their physiology and in the global hydrological cycle.

In this process the stomata play a fundamental role since, they are small openings, usually located at the bottom of the leaves, which regulate the gaseous exchange between the plant and the environment, each stoma is surrounded by two occlusive cells that control its opening and closing, which can be described according to what is indicated by Lira (2007), as follows, concerning the opening, when the plant has enough water, the occlusive cells absorb water and swell, this increase in turgor causes the cells to curve, opening the stoma, the opening of the stomata allows the entry of carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis and the exit of water vapor.

On the other hand, the closure of the stomata in conditions of drought or water stress, the occlusive cells lose water and deflate, this causes the cells to relax, closing the stoma, the closure of the stomata reduces the loss of water by transpiration, preserving the hydration of the plant. Transpiration is important in plants because it helps the transport of water and nutrients because transpiration generates a suction force that drives water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant, it also regulates the temperature since, the evaporation of water through the stomata cools the plant, protecting it from overheating, on the other hand, the flow of water through the plant facilitates the absorption of essential minerals from the soil, this process also contributes significantly to the water cycle, returning water to the atmosphere in the form of steam.

Public domain image taken from Commons.wikimedia

As has been evidenced, it is a fundamental process in nature related to plants, but there are factors that can affect them such as the following:

Light: light stimulates the opening of the stomata, increasing perspiration.
Temperature: High temperatures increase the rate of perspiration.
Humidity: Low ambient humidity increases perspiration.
Wind: The wind accelerates the evaporation of water from the leaves, increasing transpiration.
Water availability: Lack of water reduces perspiration.

In conclusion, dear readers, evaporation in plants, or transpiration, is a multifaceted process that goes far beyond the simple loss of water, it is a vital mechanism that drives a number of essential functions for the survival and growth of plants, and that also has a significant impact on the environment. It can also be said that it is an essential process for plant life, promoting the transport of water and nutrients, regulating temperature and contributing to the hydrological cycle, plants carry out transpiration thanks to the stomata that play a fundamental role in regulating this process, adapting to environmental conditions to optimize the survival of the plant.

Thank you for reading our articles, until a next publication.

Bibliographic references

Lira, R. (2007). Plant Physiology. Threshing. Mexico.

Sources

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