Question

State the main function of guard cells.

Answer 1

Guard cells:

1. Guard cells are a pair of bean-shaped cells that encircle a stoma and grow or shrink in size depending on the pressure within the cells.

The function of guard cells:

1. Stomata are small pores found on the leave's surface. For photosynthesis, massive amounts of gaseous exchange take occur in the leaves using these pores.
2. The guard cells are in-charge of opening and closing the pore. When water rushes into the guard cells, they swell, allowing the stomatal pore to open. When the protective shell shrinks, the pore shuts as well.
3. Thus, the process helps in the exchange of gases for photosynthesis as well as for water loss by transpiration.