FFA Floriculture Practice Test

The process by which a plant loses water through stomates is known as what?

1. Evaporation

2. Transpiration

3. Assimilation

4. Respiration

The correct answer is: Transpiration

The process of losing water through stomates is known as transpiration. This is a vital function in plants where water vapor is released from the plant's leaves into the atmosphere. Stomates are tiny openings on the surface of leaves that facilitate this exchange. Transpiration plays a crucial role in the plant's ability to maintain water balance, regulate temperature, and transport nutrients from the roots through the plant. In contrast, evaporation refers to the general process of liquid turning into vapor and is not specific to plants. Assimilation involves the uptake and usage of nutrients by the plant rather than the loss of water. Respiration is the biochemical process by which plants convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water, which is distinct from the process of losing water through stomates. Thus, transpiration accurately describes the specific mechanism of water loss in plants through their stomatal openings.