Which of the following treatments would increase the rate of transpiration in a potted plant?
Answer Details
Placing a potted plant under a fan in a room would increase the rate of transpiration. Transpiration is the process by which water is lost through the stomata of a plant. This process is dependent on factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and air movement. When a plant is placed under a fan, the air movement increases, which causes the water vapor around the leaves to move away from the plant quickly. As a result, the rate of transpiration increases, and the plant loses more water. This is why it's essential to keep plants well-watered when they are placed under fans, as the increased transpiration rate can cause them to dry out quickly. The other options - placing it in a cold room, putting it in a cupboard, or smearing grease on the lower surface of the leaves - would all have the opposite effect and decrease the rate of transpiration.