Factors affecting transpiration:

1. Temperature: Higher temperatures increase the rate of transpiration as it causes water to evaporate more quickly from the leaves.
2. Humidity: Lower humidity levels outside the leaf increase the rate of transpiration, as the concentration gradient between the leaf and the surrounding air is steeper.
3. Wind: Air movement around the leaf can carry away water vapor, increasing the rate of transpiration.
4. Light: Intensity of light triggers stomata to open, allowing for increased transpiration.
5. Soil moisture: Plants in dry soil will transpire more water in an effort to obtain sufficient water for growth and metabolism.

Importance of transpiration:

• Regulation of temperature in plants.
• Transport of mineral nutrients and water from the roots to the rest of the plant.
• Contributes to the water cycle and influences regional climate patterns.
• Assists in the uptake of water and minerals from the soil.

Study Guide:

1. Leaf structure and anatomy, including the role of the epidermis, stomata, and guard cells.
2. The role of the xylem in transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.
3. The process of water movement through the plant, from the roots, through the stem, and to the leaves.
4. The factors that influence the rate of transpiration, and how each factor affects the process.
5. The relationship between transpiration, photosynthesis, and gas exchange in plants.