What is the name of the process through which plants release water vapor?

Transpiration is the process through which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere. This occurs primarily through tiny openings in the leaves called stomata. During transpiration, water is absorbed by the roots from the soil and moves through the plant to the leaves, where it evaporates into the air. This process is crucial for maintaining the plant's water balance, facilitating nutrient transport from the roots to the leaves, and regulating temperature through evaporation cooling.

In contrast, evaporation refers to the transition of water from a liquid state to a vapor state without the involvement of plants, making it a broader term that applies to any surface of water, not just those associated with plant processes. Condensation is the process where vapor cools and turns back into liquid, often visible as dew or clouds, and is not related to how plants manage water. Respiration refers to the metabolic process through which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water, which is different from the specific process of water release through stomata in plants.