Transpiration Lab Report
Instructions: In this lab activity, you may investigate one of many scientific questions related to
transpiration, plant adaptation, and the effects of environmental factors on plant behavior. Once
you have selected your scientific question, you will design an investigation to test it, collect and
analyze data, and form a conclusion. Submit your lab report to your instructor when completed.
Title: Changes in a Plant’s Environment Affects its Rate of Transpiration
Objective(s):
Listed below are possible questions you could investigate related to transpiration, plant
adaptation, or the effects of environmental factors on plant behavior. You may select from one of
these questions or create your own. Once you determine your investigative question, create your
related objectives in this section.
● Do all plants respire at the same rate?
● What environmental factors can affect the rate of transpiration?
● Is transpiration rate related to the number of stomata on leaves?
● Do structural differences of plants affect their rate of transpiration?
● Does the solute concentration of water absorbed by the plant affect transpiration?
*Environmental factors can be wind, light versus dark, or temperature but are not limited to these options.
Hypothesis:
Write a prediction for your selected investigative question. Be sure your prediction compares the
action of your independent variable to your dependent variable. Use an "if /then” format for each
hypothesis statement.
Hypothesis: If 5 plants are placed in different environmental conditions, then the plant placed in
an arid hot environment will have the greatest rate of transpiration.
Lab Safety:
● Wash your hands before and after handling lab materials.
● It is important to always protect your eyes during lab activities. Wear protective goggles
whenever possible.
● When working at the kitchen counter or table, be sure to protect the workspace from
spills and clean up any splashes or spills immediately.
, ● All materials in this lab activity are safe to dispose in the garbage (solids) and down the
drain (liquids only)
Procedure:
The summary of steps for this section depend on the question you would like to investigate. A
common way to test the rate of transpiration is by the “whole plant method.” The general steps
for this method are below. You will need to modify and add to these steps based on your
investigation. You are responsible for creating and recording all procedures you plan to
follow.
Suggested Materials:
5 Small potted plants with lots of leaves and no/few flowers
5 One-gallon plastic food storage bags w/out zip-lock
Fan, heat lamp, salt (if testing environmental factors)
Water
Two different rooms
Scale
humidifier
Whole Plant Method Summary of Steps
1. Saturate each plant with water (or your solution if you are testing the effects
of solute concentration) the day before beginning your investigation.
2. Don’t forget to include a control, a plant that is not subjected to your
experimental variable.
3. Do not water your plant again until after you have finished your experiment.
4. For each plant, remove the roots with surrounding soil (keeping both intact)
and wrap it in a plastic bag.
5. Tie the top of the bag around the base of the stem so only the leaves are
exposed.
6. Place each plant base (wrapped in plastic) back into its pot.
7. Be sure to remove any flowers from your plant.
8. Determine the initial weight of each plant using a kitchen or bathroom scale.
(Be sure to note the unit of measurement in your data and graph later.)
Instructions: In this lab activity, you may investigate one of many scientific questions related to
transpiration, plant adaptation, and the effects of environmental factors on plant behavior. Once
you have selected your scientific question, you will design an investigation to test it, collect and
analyze data, and form a conclusion. Submit your lab report to your instructor when completed.
Title: Changes in a Plant’s Environment Affects its Rate of Transpiration
Objective(s):
Listed below are possible questions you could investigate related to transpiration, plant
adaptation, or the effects of environmental factors on plant behavior. You may select from one of
these questions or create your own. Once you determine your investigative question, create your
related objectives in this section.
● Do all plants respire at the same rate?
● What environmental factors can affect the rate of transpiration?
● Is transpiration rate related to the number of stomata on leaves?
● Do structural differences of plants affect their rate of transpiration?
● Does the solute concentration of water absorbed by the plant affect transpiration?
*Environmental factors can be wind, light versus dark, or temperature but are not limited to these options.
Hypothesis:
Write a prediction for your selected investigative question. Be sure your prediction compares the
action of your independent variable to your dependent variable. Use an "if /then” format for each
hypothesis statement.
Hypothesis: If 5 plants are placed in different environmental conditions, then the plant placed in
an arid hot environment will have the greatest rate of transpiration.
Lab Safety:
● Wash your hands before and after handling lab materials.
● It is important to always protect your eyes during lab activities. Wear protective goggles
whenever possible.
● When working at the kitchen counter or table, be sure to protect the workspace from
spills and clean up any splashes or spills immediately.
, ● All materials in this lab activity are safe to dispose in the garbage (solids) and down the
drain (liquids only)
Procedure:
The summary of steps for this section depend on the question you would like to investigate. A
common way to test the rate of transpiration is by the “whole plant method.” The general steps
for this method are below. You will need to modify and add to these steps based on your
investigation. You are responsible for creating and recording all procedures you plan to
follow.
Suggested Materials:
5 Small potted plants with lots of leaves and no/few flowers
5 One-gallon plastic food storage bags w/out zip-lock
Fan, heat lamp, salt (if testing environmental factors)
Water
Two different rooms
Scale
humidifier
Whole Plant Method Summary of Steps
1. Saturate each plant with water (or your solution if you are testing the effects
of solute concentration) the day before beginning your investigation.
2. Don’t forget to include a control, a plant that is not subjected to your
experimental variable.
3. Do not water your plant again until after you have finished your experiment.
4. For each plant, remove the roots with surrounding soil (keeping both intact)
and wrap it in a plastic bag.
5. Tie the top of the bag around the base of the stem so only the leaves are
exposed.
6. Place each plant base (wrapped in plastic) back into its pot.
7. Be sure to remove any flowers from your plant.
8. Determine the initial weight of each plant using a kitchen or bathroom scale.
(Be sure to note the unit of measurement in your data and graph later.)
