Water Nuggets Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term for the process of water leaving the surface of plants is transpiration. This process involves the movement of water from the soil into the plant roots, through the plant, and ultimately evaporating from tiny openings in the leaves called stomata. Transpiration serves multiple purposes, including the transport of nutrients, regulation of temperature, and maintaining turgor pressure within the plant cells, which is essential for their structural integrity.

In contrast to transpiration, evaporation refers to the conversion of water from its liquid state to a vapor state, but it does not specifically pertain to plants. Condensation is the process of water vapor cooling and changing back into liquid, often forming clouds or droplets, while precipitation refers to any form of water (rain, snow, sleet) that falls from the atmosphere to the ground. Understanding these distinct processes helps to clarify the unique role that transpiration plays in the water cycle as it relates specifically to plant life.