Water Uptake in Plants

We place two privet hedge shoots under different conditions to see how the amount of water they draw up will change. They are both placed in measuring cylinders with the same amount of water and a layer of oil is added to the top to prevent water loss through evaporation. A third cylinder is filled with water only as a control. The first shoot is left out in the open, while the second is placed in front of a warm lamp. The changes in water levels are then compared. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from plant leaves to the atmosphere. Exposure to light and heat increases the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration in plants. A potometer measures the rate of water uptake in plants. Long hollow tubes called xylem vessels transport water and minerals from the soil to the leaves of plants. These tubes consist of dead cells and simply provide a route by which water can be easily pulled up the plant. Plants adapt to their environments. A Twig Experiment Film. Let students experience real experiments in lab conditions anywhere, from setup, method all the way through to analysis and real-world application.