What is the function of stomata in leaves?

Stomata are small openings located on the surfaces of leaves, primarily on the undersides. Their main function is to facilitate the exchange of gases between the plant and the atmosphere. This includes allowing carbon dioxide to enter the leaf, which is essential for photosynthesis, while simultaneously enabling oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis, and water vapor, produced during transpiration, to exit.

The opening and closing of stomata are regulated by guard cells, which respond to environmental conditions such as light, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. This regulation is crucial for maintaining the plant’s water balance and optimizing gas exchange according to the plant’s needs.

The other options mention processes that are important for plant health but do not accurately describe the specific role of stomata. Absorbing sunlight is a function of chlorophyll in the chloroplasts, not the stomata. Storing water is managed by other parts of the plant, such as roots and specialized tissues, rather than through stomata. Nutrient transport is primarily done through the xylem and phloem, which are vascular tissues in the plant.