Question

What is an anti-transpirant ? Name some anti-transpirants.

Answer 1

Anti-transpirant:

1. Anti-transpirants are compounds applied to the leaves of plants to reduce transpiration.
2. They are used to preserve and protect plants from drying out too quickly.
3. For example, they are applied on flower cuttings, Christmas trees, etc, to prevent their early drying.
4. They are also used to protect leaves from fungal diseases and salt burn.
5. The anti-transpirants reduce the opening of stomata and increase the resistance of the leaf to water vapour diffusion without affecting carbon dioxide uptake.
6. Such types of anti-transpirants are also called metabolic inhibitors.
7. There is also one more type of anti-transpirants called film-forming anti-transpirants.
8. These form a colourless layer or film on the surface of leaves which allows an exchange of gases but does not allow the escape of water vapours.

Some anti-transpirants are:

1. Metabolic inhibitor type of anti-transpirants: phenylmercury acetate, abscisic acid and aspirin.
2. Film-forming anti-transpirants: silicone oils, waxes, etc.