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Distribution of Stomata

This document provides a procedure to study the distribution of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. Stomata are microscopic structures present in leaves that allow for gas exchange and transpiration. Samples of upper and lower epidermis from grass, dicot 1, and dicot 2 leaves are examined under a microscope to count the number of stomata and observe their shape. It is expected that there will be more stomata observed on the lower epidermis surface compared to the upper surface, as there is an advantage to having more stomata on the lower leaf surface for land plants.

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Shreeram Iyer
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1K views2 pages

Distribution of Stomata

This document provides a procedure to study the distribution of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. Stomata are microscopic structures present in leaves that allow for gas exchange and transpiration. Samples of upper and lower epidermis from grass, dicot 1, and dicot 2 leaves are examined under a microscope to count the number of stomata and observe their shape. It is expected that there will be more stomata observed on the lower epidermis surface compared to the upper surface, as there is an advantage to having more stomata on the lower leaf surface for land plants.

Uploaded by

Shreeram Iyer
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Exercise 18

Aim: To study the distribution of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves.

Principle: Stomata are tiny microscopic structures present in leaves of all flowering plants.
Number and distribution of stomata per unit area is variable in leaves of different plants.
A typical stoma consists of a pair of guard cells enclosing an aperture in the center called the
stomatal aperture. Stomata perform two important functions; that of, transpiration and exchange
of gases.

Requirement: Leaf samples - (Hibiscus/Balsam/Bougainvillea/Petunia/Cassia/Solanum/any


broad-leaved dicots and grass) microscope glass slides, cover slips, water, needle, brush, and
petridishes/watch glasses.

Procedure
• Prepare thin peels of upper and lower epidermis of a grass leaf and
of any two dicot leaves by tearing the leaf or with the help of a razor
blade and keep the peels in separate watch glasses/petridishes.
• Mount the upper epidermal peel in a drop of water taken on a slide.
Carefully cover the peel with cover slip so as to avoid air bubbles.
• Focus the peel under the high power of microscope. Note the
presence/absence of stomata seen in the field of microscope. Count
the number of stomata seen in the microscope field. Draw figure of
stomata giving details.
• Now repeat the same with peels of lower epidermis.

Observations
Record your observations in the table given below.

Name of the plant No. of stomata in Shape of guard cell


the microscopic field
Upper epidermis Lower epidermis

Dicot leaf Sample A


Sample B

Monocot leaf Sample C

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Laboratory Manual: Biology

Discussion
Carefully examine the results recorded for the leaf samples. Is the number of
stomata more in lower epidermis or in the upper epidermis? Correlate the
number of stomata with rates of respiration and exchange of gases.

Questions
1. Name the processes that will be affected if stomata were not present in leaves.
2. Draw the figure of a stoma you have observed in a monocot leaf and compare it with the
shape of stomata in dicot leaf.
3. In land plants, stomata are generally more on the lower epidermis than on upper epidermis.
What is the advantage?

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