[Campbell Biology P.847] Transpiration can significantly lower a leaf's temperature. This pr... | Practice Question

Transpiration can significantly lower a leaf's temperature. This process is analogous to which of the following human physiological responses?

  • A: Shivering to generate heat in cold conditions.
  • B: Vasoconstriction to reduce heat loss from the skin surface.
  • C: Sweating to cool the body through evaporative cooling.
  • D: Increased metabolic rate to warm the body.

Explanation

Transpiration involves the evaporation of water from the leaf surface. Evaporation is a cooling process because the water molecules with the highest kinetic energy leave the surface, taking heat energy with them. This is directly analogous to sweating in humans, where the evaporation of sweat from the skin surface cools the body.