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Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata

Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata

During photosynthesis, plants acquire the necessary carbon dioxide and release the produced oxygen back into the atmosphere. Openings in the epidermis of plant leaves is the site of this exchange of gasses. A single opening is called a stoma—derived from the Greek word for “mouth.” Stomata open and close in response to a variety of environmental cues.

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

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The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.

Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

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Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.

C4 Pathway and CAM

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Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...

Responses to Heat and Cold Stress

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Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.

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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Published on: October 12, 2015

Cellular perspectives for improving mesophyll conductance.

Marjorie R Lundgren¹, Andrew J Fleming²

¹Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK.

The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology

|December 20, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Improving leaf photosynthesis requires enhancing carbon dioxide (CO2) flux. This review explores optimizing cellular structures and molecular transport to boost mesophyll conductance and crop efficiency.

Keywords:

CO2 transport cell division cell growth cell wall leaf mesophyll conductance

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Last Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

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Published on: October 12, 2015

Measurement of Leaf Hydraulic Conductance and Stomatal Conductance and Their Responses to Irradiance and Dehydration Using the Evaporative Flux Method EFM

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Published on: December 31, 2012

Micron-scale Phenotyping Techniques of Maize Vascular Bundles Based on X-ray Microcomputed Tomography

Micron-scale Phenotyping Techniques of Maize Vascular Bundles Based on X-ray Microcomputed Tomography

Published on: October 9, 2018

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Biochemistry
Photosynthesis Research

Background:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) enters leaves through a complex pathway to reach chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
Leaf structural and biochemical barriers impede CO2 flux, collectively termed mesophyll conductance.
Understanding these barriers is key to engineering improved CO2 uptake and photosynthetic efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To review strategies for enhancing individual components of mesophyll conductance.
To emphasize the role of cellular architecture in defining CO2 flux parameters.
To identify research areas for improving fundamental understanding and crop photosynthesis.

Main Methods:

Literature review of structural and molecular factors influencing CO2 flux in leaves.
Analysis of cellular architecture's impact on mesophyll conductance parameters.
Overview of proposed molecular transport mechanisms facilitating CO2 movement.

Main Results:

Identified key structural and biochemical barriers affecting CO2 flux within the leaf.
Highlighted the significance of cellular architecture in setting mesophyll conductance boundaries.
Summarized molecular transport processes proposed to enhance CO2 flux.

Conclusions:

Optimizing cellular architecture and molecular transport offers potential for improving mesophyll conductance.
Further research into these areas can enhance fundamental understanding of leaf function.
Translating these findings could lead to significant improvements in crop photosynthetic efficiency.