Stomates take in carbon dioxide, which is necessary in photosynthesis. But they also have other roles as well.
Stomates are tiny (microscopic) pores on leaves. There are generally more stomates on the underside of leaves.
Two “guard” cells flank stomates and regulate their opening and closing. When conditions are right (when photosynthesis can occur), the guard cells swell with available water though osmosis. This opens the stomates. When conditions are not favorable for photosynthesis, the guard cells evacuate water, and this closes the stomates.
There may be up to 45,000 stomates on one square centimeter of a leaf.
Photosynthesis
Stomates take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.
Transpiration
When water in the form of vapor is lost through stomates, it is called transpiration. Loss of water can be considerable. Some trees can lose up to 500 liters of water in a day. Heat, wind, humidity, day length, cloud cover, type of plant and many other factors contribute to the loss of water vapor. affecting loss of water Stomates generally close during the night, in times of extreme temperatures, or when there is not enough water being taken in by the roots. This decreases transpiration.
Respiration
However, plants will sometimes keep stomates open at night. During this period, they release oxygen into the air, since no photosynthesis occurs at night. This is called respiration.
