Plant Physiology (Biology 327) - Dr. Stephen G. Saupe; College of St. Benedict/ St. John's University; Biology Department; Collegeville, MN 56321; (320) 363 - 2782; (320) 363 - 3202, fax; ssaupe@csbsju.edu |
Stomatal Distribution and Density
Stomatal density, which refers to the number of stomata per
unit area of the leaf, ranges in plants from approximately 1,400 to 40,000
stomata � cm-1 .
The number and distribution of the stomata plays an important role in
determining the rate of gas exchange and water loss from a leaf.
For example, we might hypothesize that the more stomata, the greater the
rate of transpiration. Stomatal
frequency is determined by counting the number of stomata in the microscope
field of view (after we calculate the area of view).
Questions:
What is the density of stomata on the abaxial (bottom) and
adaxial (top) surfaces of a broad bean leaf?
Are there fewer stomata on the adaxial side since this side is warmer
because it is in direct sunlight? What
fraction of the leaf surface is covered by stomata?
Hypotheses:
Stomata will occur on both sides of the broad bean leaf.
We will find approximately 7500 and 6500 stomata � cm2
on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces, respectively, since these values have been
reported for broad bean (Vicia faba) in the literature.
The literature also reports that approximately 1% of the broad bean leaf
surface is open pore.
Protocol:
Decide
which leaflet you will sample and where on an individual leaflet you will
take your sample to insure uniformity of samples.
Be sure the leaflet is mature.
Remove
a leaflet and determine its surface area using the Tracing
Technique. Record your data
in Table 1.
Prepare
an epidermal strip from the abaxial surface
of the leaf and mount in a drop of water.
Count
the number of stomata in 10 randomly selected fields at 400x.
Record your data in Table 2. Record
the magnification used.
Repeat
with the adaxial surface. Record
your data in Table 2.
Measure
the diameter of the microscope field at 400x with a stage micrometer.
Record your data in Table 3.
Data:
Complete
Tables 1, 2, and 3.
Summarize your data by completing Table 4.
Calculate % of the leaf that is open space for each side of the leaf (Table 4). To perform this calculation assume that an open stoma of Broad bean forms a rectangular pore (9 μm x 40 μm). Write the equation that you used. (Hint: 1 mm2 = 106 μm2)
|
|
Table
2. Stomatal frequency data
for the adaxial and abaxial sides of a Broad bean leaflet |
|||||||||||
Stomata field-1 |
|||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Mean | |
Abaxial | |||||||||||
Adaxial |
Table
4: Data summary for Broad
bean stomatal distribution |
||
Abaxial
side |
Adaxial
Side |
|
mean
stomata mm-2 |
||
mean
stomata cm-2 |
||
total
stomata leaflet-1 |
||
% stomata | ||
%
open surface |
||
stomatal ratio (abaxial / adaxial) |
Conclusions:
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Last updated:
01/07/2009 � Copyright by SG
Saupe