How do guard cells regulate opening and closing of stomatal pores? State the function of stomata?
Answers
Stomata are tiny openings or pores in plant tissue that allow for gas exchange. Stomata are typically found in plant leaves but can also be found in some stems. Specialized cells known as guard cells surround stomata and function to open and close stomatal pores. Stomata allow a plant to take in carbon dioxide, which is needed for photosynthesis. They also help to reduce water loss by closing when conditions are hot or dry. Stomata look like tiny mouths which open and close as they assist in transpiration.
Stomata open and close as a result of diffusion. Under hot and dry conditions, when water loss due to evaporation is high, stomata must close to prevent dehydration. Guard cells actively pump potassium ions (K +) out of the guard cells and into surrounding cells. This causes water in the enlarged guard cells to move osmotically from an area of low solute concentration (guard cells) to an area of high solute concentration (surrounding cells). The loss of water in the guard cells causes them to shrink. This shrinkage closes the stomatal pore.
When conditions change such that stomata need to open, potassium ions are actively pumped back into the guard cells from the surrounding cells. Water moves osmotically into guard cells causing them to swell and curve. This enlarging of the guard cells open the pores. The plant takes in carbon dioxide to be used in photosynthesis through open stomata. Oxygen and water vapor are also released back into the air through open stomata.
Answer:
Stomatal pores in plants regulate the amount of water and solutes within them by opening and closing theirguard cells using osmotic pressure. In order for plants to produce energy and maintain cellular function, their cellsundergo the highly intricate process of photosynthesis. Critical in this process is the stoma.