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Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata

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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 2, 2025

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Published on: October 12, 2015

Mesophyll conductance: walls, membranes and spatial complexity.

¹ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.

The New Phytologist

|November 2, 2020

Summary

Leaf mesophyll conductance (g_m) limits carbon dioxide (CO₂) diffusion, impacting plant water and nitrogen efficiency. Understanding g_m variation is key to improving photosynthesis and crop yields.

Keywords:

C3 C4 CO2 permeability Rubisco aquaporins leaf anatomy photosynthesis

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Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

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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: July 12, 2024

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Photosynthesis Research
Biophysical Chemistry

Background:

Mesophyll resistance (r_m) significantly impedes CO₂ diffusion into plant cells.
This resistance affects Rubisco's CO₂ fixation efficiency, increasing water and nitrogen costs for carbon gain.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the factors influencing mesophyll conductance (g_m) and its implications for CO₂ assimilation.
To highlight limitations in current models and identify areas for future research.

Main Methods:

Analysis of factors affecting g_m, including chloroplast surface area, cell wall properties, and membrane permeability.
Critique of existing modeling conclusions due to lack of empirical data on cell wall porosity and membrane CO₂ permeability.

Main Results:

g_m is proportional to chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular air spaces.
Observed g_m variations may stem from differences in effective cell wall porosity and chloroplast composition.
Apparent g_m can fluctuate with CO₂ concentration and light, but underlying cellular conductance might be stable.

Conclusions:

Current models of CO₂ assimilation require caution due to data gaps in mesophyll cell wall porosity and membrane CO₂ permeability.
Further research on membrane CO₂ permeability and its temperature sensitivity is crucial for understanding g_m dynamics.