This was a popular question in the section.
Most candidates who attempted this question were able to correctly define transpiration and list four factors which affect the rate of transpiration as well as name the types of transpiration. However, in naming the types of transpiration
( Stomatal, Lenticular and Cuticular) a good number of candidates lost marks due to spelling errors.
Most candidates performed poorly in describing the mechanism of opening and closing of the stomata and where they were able to state some of the processes they did so in a non sequential manner. The proper order of the mechanism is as follows.
- When the solute concentration of the guard cells is high;
- water flows from neighbouring epidermal/cells into the guard cells;
- by osmosis;
- the volume and turgidity of the guard cells increase;
- the thin outer walls of the guard cells stretch more than the thicker inner walls;
- causing the guard cells/stomata to open;
- when the solute concentration is low;
- water flows out of the guard cells by osmosis;
- the volume and turgidity decrease causing the guard cell to become flaccid;
- and the stomatal pore is closed.
In stating the similarities and differences between transpiration and sweating most candidates could only state one similarity namely both processes involve loss of water. Other expected answers include the following:
Similarities between transpiration and sweating
- Both involve loss of water from the body of the organism;
- Both processes result in cooling;
- Water is lost through pores.
Differences
Transpiration Sweating
- Occurs in plants/through - occurs in mammals/skin/through
stomata/lenticels; sweat process
- involves only - loss of water, salts and nitrogenous
- loss of water; wastes;
- water is lost in the form of - water is lost in liquid form;
vapour;
- occurs during the day. - occurs both night and day.
