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What are guard cells, and how do they open and close?

Answer :

Final answer:

Guard cells are pairs of specialized cells that regulate the opening and closing of stomata on plant leaves, controlling gas exchange and transpiration based on environmental conditions.

Explanation:

Guard cells are specialized cells that flank the stomata on the epidermis of plant leaves. They play a crucial role in regulating gas exchange by controlling the opening and closing of the stomatal pores. When guard cells take up water and become pressurized, they swell, bend, and cause the stomata to open. This opening facilitates the exchange of gases, allowing carbon dioxide to enter for photosynthesis and oxygen to exit as a byproduct. Conversely, when solutes are transported out of guard cells, water follows via osmosis, leading to cell depres-surization. This causes the guard cells to deflate and the stomatal pore to close, minimizing water loss through transpiration. Environmental factors like light and carbon dioxide levels can trigger these changes in guard cell turgor.

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