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Biology - Regulation of Water Balance in Plants

Regulation of Water Balance in Plants

* living tissues of plants are largely composed of water (90-95%)

* about 98% of water lost from a plant is through transpiration

* supply must meet demand - plants must be able to satisfy water
requirements for metabolic activity, maintaining turgor of cells (therefore
support), and replacing water lost through transpiration

* the problem of maintaining water balance is greater in terrestrial
plants than in aquatic plants, which have water freely available

* plants in dry or saline (salty) conditions are faced with more severe
problems than those in humid or wet conditions

* plants have structural and physiological adaptations to help maintain
water balance; that is, to maximise uptake and conservation and minimise
loss

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