Teacher Demo/Student Activity: Transpiration

Xylem and phloem tissues make up the “circulatory” system of a plant. The xylem tissues transport water from the roots to all of the other living tissues, while the phloem tissues transport sugars from the green tissues where photosynthesis occurs to non-green tissues such as flowers, seeds, and roots. Transpiration is the loss of water through open stomata in the leaf and the large leaf veins. This demonstration allows students to see the xylem tissues and observe the direction of the water flow. The pale colour of Napa cabbage makes it ideal for observation.