A Potometer can be Used to Estimate Transpiration Rate Flashcards
What is a potometer?
A special piece of apparatus used to estimate transpiration rates
What does a potometer measure?
The water uptake by a plant, but it’s assu,Ed that water uptake by the plant is directly delayed to water loss by the leaves
What do you do first? (Cut)
Cut a shoot underwater at a slant to prevent air from entering the xylem
Why do you cut the shoot at a slant?
To increase the surface area available for water uptake
What do you do second? (Assemble)
Assemble the potometer in water and insert the shoot under water, so no air can enter
What do you do third? (Remove)
Remove the apparatus from the water but keep the end of the capillary tube submerged in a beaker of water
What do you do fourth? (Tight)
Check that the apparatus is watertight and airtight
What do you do fifth? (Dry)
Dry the leaves, allow time for the shoot to acclimatise and then shut the tap
What do you do sixth? (Bubble)
Remove the end of the capillary tube for, the beaker of water until one air bubble has formed, then put the end of the tube back into water
What do you do seventh? (Record)
Recording the starting position of the air bubble
What do you do eighth? (Time)
Start a stopwatch and record the distance moved by the bubble per unit time
What do you do last? (Constant)
Keep the conditions constant throughout the experiment
