When the epidermal tissue is placed in a concentrated salt solution, the stomata would likely close. Stomata are small pores present on the surface of leaves and stems, surrounded by two specialized epidermal cells called guard cells. The opening and closing of stomata are regulated by the turgidity (water content) of the guard cells.
In a normal situation, when the plant has sufficient water, the guard cells become turgid and the stomata open, allowing for gas exchange and transpiration. However, when the epidermal tissue is placed in a concentrated salt solution, the water potential (concentration of water) outside the leaf becomes much lower than inside the leaf. This creates a gradient where water from the leaf tissue moves towards the higher concentration outside, causing water loss from the plant. As a result, the guard cells become flaccid (lose water) and the stomata close to minimize water loss through transpiration.
Closing the stomata helps the plant to conserve water and prevent dehydration. It is an adaptive response to unfavorable conditions like salt stress.
what would happen to a stomata when the epidermal tissue is placed in concentrated salt solution
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