Final answer:
Guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata, allowing CO2 to enter leaves for photosynthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Function of guard cells
Guard cells are specialized cells found in the epidermis of plant leaves. Their main function is to control the opening and closing of the stomata, which are small pores on the leaf surface. When the guard cells are turgid (swollen with water), they create an opening, allowing gases like carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit the leaf. This is crucial for photosynthesis to occur.
Role of carbon dioxide in leaves
Plants need carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis, the process by which they convert light energy into chemical energy. Carbon dioxide is one of the reactants in the photosynthesis equation, along with water and sunlight. The leaves absorb carbon dioxide through the stomata, and it diffuses into the chloroplasts within the leaf cells. Inside the chloroplasts, carbon dioxide is used to produce glucose and other organic compounds through a series of chemical reactions.
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