Ace the Certified Arborist Test 2026 – Branch Out and Leaf Your Mark!

The term that describes the loss of water vapor from the leaves of plants is transpiration. This process occurs primarily through small openings called stomata, which are found on the surface of leaves. Transpiration helps to regulate water uptake from the roots and the overall water balance in the plant.

During transpiration, water that is absorbed by the roots travels upward through the plant and is released into the atmosphere as vapor. This not only helps to cool the plant but also plays a vital role in nutrient transport and maintaining turgor pressure within cells.

In contrast, osmosis refers to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane, often relating to water absorption rather than loss. Evaporation is a broader term that describes the change of water from liquid to vapor but does not specifically pertain to the process occurring in plants. Condensation involves the transition of vapor back to liquid, which is the opposite of what occurs during transpiration.