In botany, a stoma (from Greek στόμα, “mouth”, plural “stomata”), also called a stomate (plural “stomates”) is a pore, found in the epidermis of leaves, stems, and other organs, that controls the rate of gas exchange.

The epidermis aids in the regulation of gas exchange. It contains stomata, which are openings through which the exchange of gases takes place. Two guard cells surround each stoma, regulating its opening and closing. Guard cells are the only epidermal cells to contain chloroplasts.

Stomata are portals in plant leaves that control gas exchange for photosynthesis, a process fundamental to life on Earth.

The cells around stomata are called gaurd cells because by opening and closing stomata, they facilitate gas exchange for photosynthesis and help minimize water loss.

…the epidermis are paired, chloroplast-containing guard cells, and between each pair is formed a small opening, or pore, called a stoma (plural: stomata).

Guard cells are specialized plant cells in the epidermis of leaves, stems and other organs that are used to control gas exchange. They are produced in pairs with a gap between them that forms a stomatal pore.

When the guard cells are swelled because of water absorption, it leads to opening of the stomatal pores. Once the water is lost, the guard cells become flaccid and the stomata closes. Also, during the daytime stomata generally remain open and during the night they remain closed.

Stomata are composed of two guard cells. These cells have walls that are thicker on the inner side than on the outer side. This unequal thickening of the paired guard cells causes the stomata to open when they take up water and close when they lose water.

Stomata are small pores present in the leaf. They are surrounded by gaurd cells which help in closening and opening of stomata. Their functions performed by them are as follows-: 1)They allow exchange of gases from the surrounding medium. Usually, carbon dioxide is taken up and oxygen is released.

Using clear nail varnish is a traditional method to measure stomatal density, since making the impression and viewing it under a microscope can be completed in one lesson. Prepare an epidermal impression by coating the leaf surface with nail varnish.

Stomata are responsible for allowing gas exchange between the inside of the leaf and the atmosphere. Stoma is the singular and stomata is the plural form. When viewed with a microscope, they often look like coffee beans.

Method 1

1. put a small drop of water on a microscope slide.
2. hold the leaf with the surface you want to examine uppermost.
3. tear the leaf at an angle so as to reveal part of the epidermis.
4. place the leaf on the microscope slide and examine.

Humidity and stomata These stomata are only found on the underside of the leaf and aren’t visible to the naked eye. They let CO2 in and let oxygen and water out. The plant has a very sophisticated system to open and close its stomata.

Fold the leaf to gently pull the peel apart to separate a peeled section from the lower surface of the leaf. Use the forceps to perform this step. Allow the peel to remain in a watch glass holding water for some time. In the watch glass, stain the sample by adding some drops of safranin through a dropper.

Epidermis, in botany, outermost, protoderm-derived layer of cells covering the stem, root, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed parts of a plant. The epidermis and its waxy cuticle provide a protective barrier against mechanical injury, water loss, and infection.