Final answer:
Stomata and guard cells regulate gas exchange and water loss in plant leaves, allowing for efficient photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in plants captures free energy using chlorophyll molecules in the chloroplasts of leaf cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
In plants, the opening and closing of stomata is regulated to balance efficient photosynthesis and water loss. Stomata are small openings on the underside of leaves that allow for gas exchange, including the entry of carbon dioxide and oxygen for photosynthesis. These stomata are surrounded by specialized cells called guard cells, which control the opening and closing of the stomata.
Guard cells open stomata to allow for the entry of carbon dioxide and oxygen. However, when stomata are open, water vapor is also lost to the external environment through transpiration. Therefore, plants must regulate stomata opening and closing to maintain a balance between efficient photosynthesis and water loss.
The capture of free energy for cellular processes in plants occurs through photosynthesis, which takes place in the chloroplasts of cells in the mesophyll layer of leaves. During photosynthesis, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules, located in the thylakoid membranes within the chloroplasts. This light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through a series of biochemical reactions.