Cell Response to Osmosis and Transpiration

This page covers how animal cells respond to osmosis differently from plant cells and introduces the concept of transpiration in plants.

Definition: Transpiration is the evaporation of water from mesophyll cells, followed by diffusion through leaf air spaces and stomata.

Highlight: Animal cells can burst through cell lysis when too much water enters, as they lack a cell wall to provide structural support.

Example: Environmental factors affecting transpiration include:

• Higher temperatures increase evaporation and transpiration
• Stronger winds accelerate water vapor removal from stomata
• Higher humidity reduces evaporation and transpiration rates

Environmental Factors and Water Usage

This page delves deeper into how environmental conditions affect plant water movement and usage.

Highlight: Light intensity significantly impacts transpiration as many plants close their stomata in darkness to conserve water.

Example: The main environmental factors affecting transpiration can be demonstrated using:

• Temperature controls
• Humidity measurements
• Wind speed variations
• Light intensity adjustments

Vocabulary:

• Stomata: Pores in leaves that control gas exchange and water vapor release
• Mesophyll: The internal leaf tissue where photosynthesis occurs