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A Handbook of Biology

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During transpiration, exchange of O2 and CO2 in the leaf also occurs.

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Stomata are open in the day time and close during night except CAM

plants

(NEET 2016)

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Opening or closing of the stomata is due turgidity change in the guard

cells.

(AIPMT 2009)

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Guard cells and subsidiary cells forms stomatal aperture.

Nucleus

Water

Potassium

Epidermal cells

Vacuole

STOMA

Chloroplast

STOMATA OPENING

Guard cells (Swollen)

STOMATA CLOSING

Guard cells (shrunken)

H2O

H2O

H2O

H2O

H2O

H2O

H2O

H2O

Cell walls

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The inner wall of guard cell, lining the stomatal aperture is thick and

elastic and the outer wall is thin.

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When turgidity of guard cells increases, the outer walls bulge out and

pull the inner walls into a crescent shape.

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Cellulose microfibrils in the guard cells are oriented radially rather than

longitudinally making it easier for the stoma to open.

(NEET 2017)

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The guard cells lose turgidity due to water loss (or water stress) and the

inner walls regain their original shape. As a result, the stoma closes.

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Usually the lower surface of a dicot leaf has a greater number of stomata.

In monocot leaf, they are about equal on both surfaces.

FÅÇTØRS ÅFFËÇTÏÑG TRÅÑSPÏRÅTÏØÑ:

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External factors: Temperature, light, humidity, wind etc.

(NEET 2018)

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Plant factors:

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Number and distribution of stomata

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Number of stomata open.

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Water status of the plant.

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Canopy structure etc.