What is transpiration in the context of plants?

Transpiration refers to the process through which water vapor is released from the interior of plant leaves to the atmosphere through small openings called stomata. This process plays a critical role in maintaining the plant's internal water balance, facilitating nutrient uptake from the soil, and regulating temperature. As water evaporates from the leaves, it creates a negative pressure that draws more water up from the roots through the plant's vascular system.

In contrast, the absorption of water by roots involves the uptake of moisture from the soil, which is essential for plant survival but is a different process than transpiration. The photosynthesis process also differs, as it involves converting light energy into chemical energy, typically during daylight when plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Likewise, growth processes in plants encompass a variety of mechanisms that involve cell division and expansion, but these do not specifically define transpiration.