09 September 2015

#116 Homeostasis in plants


Stomata have daily rhythms of opening and closing and also respond to changes in environmental conditions to
- allow diffusion of CO­2­
- regulate water loss by transpiration










Stomata open due to:

Stomata close due to:

  • high light intensity
  • low concentration of CO­ 

  • darkness
  • high concentration of CO­ 
  • low humidity
  • high temperature
  • water stress

Opening and closing of stomata





  1. ATP powers proton pumps to actively transport H+ out of cell
  2. There is a low concentration of H+ and negative charge inside the cell --> K+ channels open --> K+ diffuse in
  3. High concentration of K+ inside the cell decreases water potential
  4. Water moves in via osmosis
  5. Water entry increases the volume of the guard cell, causing it to expand --> open

Structure of stomata

Each stomatal pore is surrounded by 2 guard cells. Guard cells:
  • open when turgid (gain water)
  • close when flaccid (lose water)

Abscisic acid and stomatal closure

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a stress hormone that is secreted in response to difficult environmental conditions such as very high temperatures or much reduced water supplies. ABA triggers the closure of stomata to reduce transpiration and prevent water loss.

ABA binds to cell surface receptors 
  • inhibits proton pumps: stop Hpumped out
  • stimulates movement of Ca2+ through the cell surface membrane and tonoplast

Ca2+ acts as a 2nd messenger to activate channel proteins to open that allow negatively charged ions to leave the guard cell. This in turn
  • opens channel proteins that allow  Kto leave the cell
  • closes channel proteins that allow Kto enter the cell
  • --> net movement: Kleaves cell
Loss of ions = higher water potential inside cell = water passes out by osmosis = guard cells become flaccid --> stomata close



  Syllabus 2016-2018

14.2  Homeostasis in plants

Stomatal aperture is regulated in response to the requirements for uptake of carbon  dioxide for photosynthesis and conserving water.


a)   explain that  stomata have daily rhythms of opening and closing and also respond to changes in environmental conditions to allow diffusion of carbon  dioxide and regulate water loss by transpiration


b)   describe the structure and function  of guard cells and explain the mechanism by which they  open  and close  stomata


c)   describe the role of abscisic acid in the closure of stomata during times of water stress (the role of calcium  ions as a second messenger should  be emphasised)




1 comment:

  1. Are you currently learning the 2015 syllabus for bio and chem?

    ReplyDelete