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Investigating plant responses using a potometer

The document outlines an investigation into plant transpiration using a potometer, detailing the factors affecting transpiration rates such as temperature, humidity, air movement, and light intensity. It includes a list of necessary equipment, potential sources of error, and a step-by-step method for conducting experiments to measure the impact of these factors on water uptake. The study aims to determine which condition most significantly influences the rate of transpiration, with a focus on light intensity as the primary variable.

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oliviawrightiscool
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18 views

Investigating plant responses using a potometer

The document outlines an investigation into plant transpiration using a potometer, detailing the factors affecting transpiration rates such as temperature, humidity, air movement, and light intensity. It includes a list of necessary equipment, potential sources of error, and a step-by-step method for conducting experiments to measure the impact of these factors on water uptake. The study aims to determine which condition most significantly influences the rate of transpiration, with a focus on light intensity as the primary variable.

Uploaded by

oliviawrightiscool
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Investigating plant responses using a potometer:

Transpiration is the process by which a plant loses water. As water


evaporates from the stomata, it drags more water through the xylem
because of cohesion (hydrogen bonds allowing water molecules to stick
together). The factors that affect the rate of transpiration are
temperature, humidity, air movement, and light intensity.

Higher temperatures cause the stomata to open wider, which allows more
water vapor to escape, increasing the rate of transpiration. Humid
conditions reduce the rate of transpiration, as the air is already saturated
with water molecules, so the concentration gradient is weaker. More air
movement maintains the concentration gradient between the inside and
outside of the plant, which increases transpiration. Brighter conditions
signal the stomata to open to take in more CO2, which additionally allows
more water vapor to escape. My hypothesis is that the rate of water intake
will be affected the greatest by changing light conditions, since they
respond very quickly to changes in light, which means the rate of
transpiration is most affected by light.

Equipment needed:

- Crystalizing dish
- Potometer
- Vaseline (to stop the water flowing back to the reservoir)
- Laurel plant (or any plant with a hard stem)
- Bung
- Lamp
- Fan
- Plastic bag

Potential sources of error:

- Taking the plant out too early in the day. This is because the
stomata will most likely be closed, so you won’t see any signs of
transpiration
- Starting the experiment in temperatures colder than around room
temperature

Method:
1. Fill the potometer and reservoir with water
2. squeeze the rubber tubing to remove any air bubbles

3. put the plant stem through the bung and cut off the end of the stem

4. fill the end of the potometer with water, put the bung on top, and apply
Vaseline on top of the bung

5. create an air bubble in the capillary tube

6. set a timer for 10min, note the distance travelled, this is the control

Experiments:

Changing Light intensity:

- Shine a light on the plant from 50cm away


- Set a timer for 10min, then note the distance that the air bubble
travelled
- If time allows, repeat and calculate a mean

Start (cm) End (cm) Net (cm) Speed (cm/min)

Changing humidity:

- Put a bag over the plant


- Seal the bottom of the bag with blue tack
- Start a timer for 10min
- Note distance travelled
- If time allows, calculate a mean

Start (cm) End (cm) Net (cm) Speed (cm/min)

Changing wind speed:

- Hold a fan near the top of the plant


- Start a timer for 10min and note the distance travelled

Start (cm) End (cm) Net (cm) Speed (cm/min)


Changing temperature:

Method1:

- hold a hair dryer near the top of the plant


- Set a timer for 10 minutes and record the distance change

Method2:

- Shine a heat lamp on the plant from 20cm away


- Set a timer for 10min and record the distance change

Start (cm) End (cm) Net (cm) Speed (cm/min)

Variables:

Independent: the conditions that the plant will be in. I will increase
temperature, air flow, humidity and light intensity to see which one affects
the rate of water uptake the most

Dependent: I will measure distance travelled by the air bubble, and use
speed = distance/time to calculate the rate of water uptake. This is
because higher rates of water uptake indicate increased transpiration.

Control:

What Why How


Amount of time each To make sure that the Time each experiment
factor is applied to the vary in results is for 10 minutes
plant caused by the
changing factors, and
not because the plant
had longer to adjust to
its environment
Time between each Allowing an Wait 3 minutes
experiment equilibration period between each
reduces stress on the experiment
plant and allows it to
adjust to its new
climate, which reduces
the impact on results
Type of plant used Different plants will Use the same type of
have different plant for each
responses to changing experiment
conditions

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