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Biology vocabulary · Plant Biology

Stoma

Meaning in biology, with examples

/ˈstoʊmə/nounCommon term

In biology, stoma means: A tiny pore, mostly on the underside of a leaf, that lets carbon dioxide in and oxygen and water vapor out. Each stoma is opened and closed by two guard cells.

In Turkish: stoma, gözenek

How it is used

Almost always used in the plural, stomata (/ˈstoʊmətə/). Plants close their stomata in drought to save water, which also slows photosynthesis. Researchers measure stomatal density and stomatal conductance.

Example sentences

  1. Most stomata are on the lower surface of the leaf, away from direct sunlight.

  2. Each stoma is surrounded by a pair of guard cells.

Common collocations

  • guard cells
  • stomatal closure
  • stomatal density
  • open stomata
  • transpirationThe loss of water vapor from a plant, mainly through the stomata in its leaves. It pulls water up through the xylem from the roots.
  • photosynthesisThe process in which plants, algae and some bacteria use light energy to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a by-product.
  • xylemThe plant tissue that carries water and dissolved minerals upward from the roots to the stems and leaves. Its cells are dead when mature and form hollow tubes.
  • chloroplastAn organelle in plant and algal cells where photosynthesis takes place. It contains the green pigment chlorophyll and has its own DNA.

More terms: Plant Biology

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