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Stomata Overview

Stomata are tiny pores found in plant tissue, mostly on the undersides of leaves, that are flanked by guard cells and allow for gas exchange. They open to intake carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and close to reduce water loss through transpiration. The movement of guard cells controls stomatal opening and closing in response to environmental factors like light, humidity, and hormones to balance gas exchange and water conservation.

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119 views2 pages

Stomata Overview

Stomata are tiny pores found in plant tissue, mostly on the undersides of leaves, that are flanked by guard cells and allow for gas exchange. They open to intake carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and close to reduce water loss through transpiration. The movement of guard cells controls stomatal opening and closing in response to environmental factors like light, humidity, and hormones to balance gas exchange and water conservation.

Uploaded by

get.aishaa
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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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Stomata: An Overview

Stomata are tiny openings or pores in plant tissue that allow for gas exchange. They are most

commonly found on the undersides of plant leaves but can also be found on stems and other

organs. Each stomatum (singular for stomata) is flanked by a pair of specialized parenchyma cells

known as guard cells that are responsible for regulating the size of the stomatal opening.

The primary function of stomata is to allow for the exchange of gases between the plant's internal

tissues and the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and

release oxygen (O2). Stomata play a crucial role in this process by opening to permit CO2 to enter

the leaf, and closing to reduce water loss through evapotranspiration.

Water vapor is also lost through the stomata in a process known as transpiration. This process is

vital for maintaining the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves, known as the

transpiration stream. The opening and closing of stomata are controlled by various factors including

light, plant water status, and concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Structurally, the guard cells that surround each stoma can change shape depending on

environmental conditions. When guard cells are turgid (swollen with water), they bend away from

each other and open the stoma. Conversely, when they lose water and become flaccid, they close

the stoma. This movement is influenced by factors like light intensity, humidity, and internal

concentrations of certain hormones and ions.

Stomata also play a role in reducing water loss under stressful conditions such as drought. Plants

may close their stomata to prevent excessive water loss, though this also limits the intake of CO2
and can affect photosynthesis. The regulation of stomatal opening and closing is a complex

interplay of internal and external factors, reflecting the plant's need to balance gas exchange with

water conservation.

In summary, stomata are essential for photosynthesis, transpiration, and gas exchange in plants.

They represent a critical adaptation that allows plants to regulate their internal environment and

interact with the external environment effectively.

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