Question

How does the opening and closing of the stomata help the plant?

A. It aids in releasing turgor pressure from the guard cells.
B. It helps maintain the water pressure within the stroma.
C. It helps to regulate the amount of oxygen that enters the plant.
D. It helps the plants maintain homeostasis by regulating the amount of water the plant loses during transpiration."

Answer 1

The stomata, regulated by guard cells, help plants maintain water balance and homeostasis by controlling transpiration and allowing the exchange of gases necessary for photosynthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The opening and closing of the stomata play a crucial role in helping plants maintain homeostasis by regulating the amount of water they lose during transpiration. Guard cells are responsible for the opening and closing of stomata, which allows for the exchange of gases necessary for photosynthesis. When stomata are open, carbon dioxide enters for photosynthesis, and oxygen exits as a byproduct. However, this also leads to water vapor exiting the plant, which can be detrimental during water shortages.

As a result, guard cells must balance the need for carbon dioxide against the potential loss of water through transpiration. This balance is achieved through the active transport of ions and the osmotic movement of water into and out of the guard cells, which changes their turgor and opens or closes the stomatal pores.