Stomata facts for kids
In botany, a stoma (plural = stomata) is a tiny opening or pore. It is found on plant leaves and stems, and any other green parts of the plant. It is used for gas exchange. Stomata are mostly found on the under-surface of plant leaves. Almost all land plants have stomata.
Stomata have two main functions. First is gaseous exchange i.e. intake of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen. The second is the process of transpiration in plants.
Air enters the plant through these openings. The carbon dioxide is used in photosynthesis. Some of the oxygen produced is used in respiration. Surplus oxygen exits through these same openings. Also, water vapor goes into the atmosphere through these pores in transpiration.
The pore is formed by a pair of cells known as guard cells. These adjust the size of the opening by opening or closing. To open a guard cell, protons (hydrogen ions, H+) are pumped into the guard cells. Water enters into them, the cells gets filled, and they open.
Images for kids
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Stoma in a tomato leaf shown via colorized scanning electron microscope image
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The underside of a leaf. In this species (Tradescantia zebrina) the guard cells of the stomata are green because they contain chlorophyll while the epidermal cells are chlorophyll-free and contain red pigments.
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Electron micrograph of a stoma from a Brassica chinensis (Bok Choy) leaf
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Tomato stoma observed through immersion oil
See also
In Spanish: Estoma para niños
