4. To demonstrate the factors affecting transpiration by means of a bubbl potometer 1. Leaty shoot transpires through the leaf surface. 2. The-other end ef shoot is eut under ‘water $0 thal water can be absorbed to replace the water loss. 4. Position of aie bubble can be ssgjusied by turning ‘ne. /3: Anal bubble is Introduced the epilary tube to indicate the water movement, At the beginning, the air bubble can be introduced by removing the beaker of water from the mouth of the capillary tube for a short while. The same leafy shoot is used to study the effects of different factors, Each time when the experiment is repeated, the air bubble has to be pushed back to the end of the capillary tube by turning the tab of the reservoi Working prineiple of the potometer As water evaporates from the leafy shoot, a transpiration pull is ereated to pull water up the shoot and to-absorb water from the cut end. The absorption of water causes the air bubble t move towards the plant, The distance travelled by the air bubble over a petiod of time is equal to the rate of water uptake by the plant Precautions ; Precaution 1. Alwafy twig should be chosen for this experiment. ‘The large surface area enables rapid transpiration, The results are more prominent. 2. The leafy twig must be cul under water This prevents air bubbles from blocking the xylem vessels, 3. The whole apparatus must be set up under water, ‘This prevents air bubbles from being tapped in the apparatus, 4. Alljunctions should be sealed with vaseline This prevents air from moving into the potomeler when itis lifted up feom water. 5. All the leaves must be blotted dry before starting the experiment, Any moisture on the leaf surface would slow down evaporation of water 6. When changing from one condilien to another, ten minutes should be allowed to pass before restarting the experiment, This gives time for the plant to adjust to the new ‘condition,3. 6. Expected resul Condition Rate of bubble movement when compared with the control 41. Under bright sunlight Greater 2. Near an electric heater Greater 3.__Under 8 fan Greater 4, Enclosed inside a transparent ‘Smaller plastic bag ‘Limitations of the patometer : fa) The potometer actually measures the rato of water uptake rather than the rate of water loss by transpiration. ‘Some water is used by the plant for photosynthesis and metabolism. However, this amount of water is very small 0 that the rate of water absorption can give a rough estimation of the rate of transpiration, (b}_ The potometer cannot measure the rate of water uptake of a whole plant, the uptike of water by the shoot is not 3 aseffi as that by the root By using a weight potometer ‘The drop in the water level in the burette is due to water uptake by the leafy shoot, ‘The reduction in weight of the whole apparatus is due to the loss of water through transpiration, buretie elayer leaty shoot top pan balance Biology Nates o Pages The rate of water uptake is slightly greater than the rate of water loss through transpiration because a small Hion of the absorbed water is retained by the plant for some vital functions, ¢.g., port (a) to maintain the turgidity of the cells. (b) toact as a raw material for photosynthesis, (c)_ for metabolism.