The Effect of The Area of The Leaves On The Transpiration Rate of Plants (A Research Proposal)

The Effect of the Area of the Leaves on the Transpiration Rate of Plants1
Morgia, Krisha Mae G.

Ombid, Angel Mae O.
Pablo, Angelu Rose H.
Padilla, Angelou H.
Group 3 Sec. U-1L
November 19, 2014
INTRODUCTION
1 A research proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in General Biology I
Laboratory under Prof. Blesshe Querijero, 1st sem., 2014-2015.
A. Statement of the Problem

Does the area of the leaves affect the transpiration rate of plants?
B. Background Information
According to Raven, et. al. (2005), plant transpiration is the evaporation of water from
the plant surfaces. Transpiration may involve in any part of the plant body above the ground, but
leaves are by far the principal organs of transpiration. Water comes out from the plant as water
vapor through the microscopic pores in the leaves called stomata. During this process, water
evaporates from the mesophyll cells (Lapitan, 2011). It is the last step in a continuous water
pathway from soil, into plant roots, through plant stems and leaves and out into the atmosphere
(Parker, 2010).
By the action of the guard cells, the stomata open during the daylight hours to allow the
free exchange and release of water vapor. On the other hand, it closes at night or when the plant
is water-stressed. Thus, water vapor moves freely from the leaf through the open stomata.
Transpiration is an essential process in plant life because it carries nutrients needed by the
plants in order to grow (Parker, 2010). However, excessive transpiration retards the growth of
many plants and kills many others by dehydration (Raven, et. al., 2005).
Rate of transpiration is the amount of water lost per unit of time and stomatal movement
is the major factor affecting it. Furthermore, it is affected by other several factors such as area of
the leaf, temperature, humidity and air currents. Water loss and the surface area of the leaf that is
exposed to the air are directly proportional to each other. Based from these statements, we can
infer that the larger the area of the leaf, the higher its rate of transpiration. Hence, the hypothesis
to be tested by this experiment is in the statement: If the area of the leaf affects the transpiration
rate of plants, then the larger the area of the leaf, the higher the rate of transpiration.
The study aims to determine the effect of the area of the leaf on the transpiration rate of
plants. The specific objectives are:
1. to determine which leaf would have a higher rate of transpiration;
2. to explain the relationship of the area of the leaf and the rate of transpiration; and
3. to enumerate the possible factors that would affect the transpiration rate of plants.
MATERIALS
2 pairs of yemane leaves
2 iron stand
String
Paper clips
Electric fan
Weighing scale
Paper
Ruler
PROCEDURE
Two pairs of yemane leaves will be obtained. Each pair of leaves should be of different
size. The first pair (bigger leaves) will serve as the setup A and the second pair (smaller leaves)
will serve as setup B. Initial weight of each leaf will be determined using a weighing scale. The
leaves will be hanged on a string tied in the iron stand using paper clips. The leaves will be
exposed on the electric fan for an hour and will be weighed again. The outline of each leaf will
be traced on a paper and cut to be used in getting the area of the leaf Another paper will be cut
into two by two inches and the area of the leaf will be determined by the weight method given
the formula,
Leaf Ar ea=
( area of 2 x 2 paper ) (weight of traced leaf )

weight of 2 x 2 paper
The transpiration rate for each leaf in terms of mg of water lost per cm 2 of leaf will be
computed:
Transpiration Rate=
Lossweight
Leaf area
All observations will be entered on the table provided.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
Two pairs of yemane leaves
Weigh each leaf and record data as

initial weight
Hang the leaves on a string tied on the

iron stand using paper clips
Place the electric fan facing the leaves

for an hour
Weigh each leaf and record data as final

weight
DATA BLANKS
Table 1. The transpiration rate of yemane leaves at different leaf area
Yemane Leaf No.
Initial
Weight
(mg)
Final
weight
(mg)
Loss in
Weight
(mg)
Leaf Area
(cm2)
Transpiration
Rate
(mg/H2O/cm2)
1
Set A
2
1
Set B
Transpiration Rate (mg/H2O/cm2)
Leaf Area (cm2)

Figure 1. The effect of the area of the leaf on transpiration rate of yemane leaves
5
LITERATURE CITED
Parker, Rick. (2010). Plant and Soil Science: Fundamentals and Applications. Delmar, Cengage
Learning: New York. pp.197, 200.
Raven, P.H., Evert, R.F., Eichhorn, S.E. (2005). Biology of Plants, 7 th ed. WH Freeman &
Company Publishers: New York. pp. 668-671.
Lapitan, Portia G. (2011). FBS 31 Plant Physiology: Laboratory Manual. College, Laguna,
Philippines: UPLB-College of Forestry and Natural Resources.

The Effect of The Area of The Leaves On The Transpiration Rate of Plants (A Research Proposal)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Effect of The Area of The Leaves On The Transpiration Rate of Plants (A Research Proposal)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Effect of The Area of The Leaves On The Transpiration Rate of Plants (A Research Proposal)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Effect of the Area of the Leaves on the Transpiration Rate of Plants1

Morgia, Krisha Mae G.

November 19, 2014

Laboratory under Prof. Blesshe Querijero, 1st sem., 2014-2015.

A. Statement of the Problem

( area of 2 x 2 paper ) (weight of traced leaf )

All observations will be entered on the table provided.

Two pairs of yemane leaves

Weigh each leaf and record data as

Hang the leaves on a string tied on the

Place the electric fan facing the leaves

Weigh each leaf and record data as final

Yemane Leaf No.

Transpiration Rate (mg/H2O/cm2)

Leaf Area (cm2)

You might also like