Question

what is the meaning of turgidity of guard cells?

Answer 1

Guard cells regulate the opening and closing of the stomata and this regulation is brought about by the accumulation of solutes in the guard cells. Solutes are taken in by the guard cells from the neighbouring epidermal and mesophyll cells. As a result, the water potential and osmotic potential of guard cell decreases. This creates water potential gradient between the guard cells and the neighbouring cells leading to the movement of water into the guard cells. The guard cells become turgid and swell resulting in the stomatal opening.