Evaporation takes place from the surfaces of spongy mesophyll cells
The many interconnecting air spaces between these cells and the stomata create a large surface area
This means evaporation can happen rapidly when stomata are open
Transpiration Stream: Extended
Water molecules are attracted to each other by cohesion - creating a continuous column of water up the plant
Water moves through the xylem vessels in a continuous transpiration stream from roots to leaves via the stem
Transpiration produces a tension or ‘pull’ on the water in the xylem vessels by the leaves
As water molecules are held together by cohesive forces (each individual molecule ‘pulls’ on the one below it), so water is pulled up through the plant
If the rate of transpiration from the leaves increases, water molecules are pulled up the xylem vessels quicker