Question

Question 6 Briefly describe water potential. What are the factors affecting it?

Class XI Biology Chapter - Transport in Plants Page 193

Answer 1

Water potential quantifies the tendency of water to move from one part to the other during various cellular processes such as diffusion, osmosis, etc. It is denoted by the Greek letter Psi or Ψ and is expressed in Pascals (Pa). The water potential of pure water is always taken as zero at standard temperature and pressure.
Water potential (Ψw) is expressed as the sum of solute potential (Ψs) and pressure potential (Ψp).


Ψw = Ψs + Ψp
When some solute is dissolved in water, the water potential of pure water decreases. This is termed as solute potential (Ψs), which is always negative. For a solution at atmospheric pressure, Ψw = Ψs.
The water potential of pure water or a solution increases on the application of pressure values more than atmospheric pressure. It is termed as pressure potential. It is denoted by Ψp and has a positive value, although a negative pressure potential is present in the xylem. This pressure potential plays a major role in the ascent of water through the stem.

Answer 2

Answer:

Water potential may be defined as the ability of water to move from one place to the another place during the process of osmosis or diffusion. The water potential is represented by the symbol Ψw.

The water potential is affected by various factors. The addition of any solute may result in the decrease in the water potential. The water potential of the pure water increases with the increase in the pressure values more than the atmospheric pressure. The gravity also effect the water potential in the plants.