Question

Why is homeostasis important in plants?

a) To keep the plant stable
b) To keep the plant unstable
c) To maintain constant stomata opening
d) To keep the plant cold

Answer 1

Homeostasis in plants is crucial for maintaining a stable internal environment, specifically to regulate water and gas exchange through the stomata. Guard cells control the stomata's opening to balance photosynthesis and transpiration, responding to environmental changes and conserving resources for cellular processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Homeostasis is critically important in plants because it ensures stability in their internal environment, particularly in the regulation of water and gases. Plants must regulate the opening and closing of stomata to maintain a balance between the intake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and the loss of water through transpiration. The guard cells play a pivotal role by controlling the opening and closing of the stomata, enabling plants to respond to environmental changes and maintain functions such as photosynthesis and the upward flow of water from the roots to the leaves.

When environmental conditions change, for example, with an increase in temperature, plants will close their stomata to conserve water.Feedback mechanisms in plants work constantly to adjust the stomatal openings, responding to signals such as light levels, carbon dioxide concentration, and moisture availability. This adaptation is crucial for the plant's survival, as it helps in capturing free energy for cellular processes that are essential for growth and reproduction.