stomata
Plant breathing holes
Stomata are tiny pores on the surfaces of plant leaves and stems that allow gases to pass in and out.
Each stoma is flanked by a pair of guard cells that open and close the pore in response to environmental conditions like light and humidity.
Through stomata, plants take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and release oxygen and water vapor.
The singular form is stoma, from Greek for "mouth."
Plant's photosynthetic organ
- epidermisOutermost tissue layer
- mesophyllPhotosynthetic tissue in leaves
- cuticleDead skin at nail base
- vascular tissuePlant's internal transport network
Transfer of respiratory molecules
- transpirationBotanical water vapor release
- water vaporH₂O in gaseous state
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
evaporation · regulation · humidity · flux · absorption · atmosphere · ventilation · conductance
Adjustable optical inlet
- poresMinute dermal openings
- epidermisOutermost tissue layer
- openingGap or start
- closureSense of emotional resolution
cuticle · cell wall · microscopic · turgid · flaccid
Photosynthesis-performing cell structures
- mesophyllPhotosynthetic tissue in leaves
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- hypertonicHigher solute than reference
- hypotonicLower osmotic pressure
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
- openingGap or start
Drought-tolerant plant species
- water conservationMinimizing freshwater waste strategically
- desert plantsFlora adapted to drought
- trichomesEpidermal outgrowths on plants
- water stressInsufficient moisture for organisms
leaf
Plant's photosynthetic organ
gas exchange
Transfer of respiratory molecules
- transpirationBotanical water vapor release
- water vaporH₂O in gaseous state
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
respiration · evaporation · regulation · humidity · flux · absorption · atmosphere · ventilation · conductance
aperture
Adjustable optical inlet
closure · cuticle · cell wall · microscopic · turgid · flaccid
chloroplasts
Photosynthesis-performing cell structures
- mesophyllPhotosynthetic tissue in leaves
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
osmosis
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- hypertonicHigher solute than reference
- hypotonicLower osmotic pressure
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
opening · closure · signaling · aquaporins
xerophyte
Drought-tolerant plant species
- water conservationMinimizing freshwater waste strategically
- desert plantsFlora adapted to drought
- trichomesEpidermal outgrowths on plants
- plant anatomyroot, stem, leaves, stems, leaf
- plant partsleaf, stem, root, leaves, flower
- tree partstrunk, branches, branch, bark, root
- botanybotany, plants, plant biology, plant, plant anatomy
- plant biologyphotosynthesis, chloroplast, pollination, stamen, pistil
- leaf partsblade, petiole, midrib, lamina, margin
stomataroots
Underground nutrient absorbers
root hairs · root system · rhizomes · xylem · phloem