Zusammenfassung der Ressource
gas exchange in plants
- The net (overall) effect depends on the time of day and the light intensity. Photosynthesis doesn’t
occur at night. When there is no photosynthesis, there is a net release of carbon dioxide and a net
uptake of oxygen. If there is enough light during the day, then: the rate of photosynthesis is higher
than the rate of respiration there is a net release of oxygen and a net uptake of carbon dioxide
- C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O (aerobic respiration)
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 (photosynthesis)
- The structure of the leaf is adapted for gas exchange. The cells in the spongy mesophyll (lower layer) are
loosely packed, and covered by a thin film of water. There are tiny pores, called stomata, in the surface of
the leaf. Most of these are in the lower epidermis, away from the brightest sunlight
- the role of stomata
- The stomata control gas exchange in the leaf. Each stoma can be open or closed, depending on how turgid
its guard cells are.
- In the light, the guard cells
absorb water by osmosis,
become turgid and the
stoma opens.
- In the dark, the guard cells lose water,
become flaccid and the stoma closes.