stomata

[blackeyed]

Can plants take in water through stomata?

[redman41]

Stomata are little holes in the cells of leaves that let in water (rainfall) and let OUT water (most importantly) through transpiration.

I obtained this by Googling !!

[blackeyed]

lol!
thanx!

[rojash]

And of course the word "stomata" is Greek for mouths!

[dundurn]

Stomata are tiny, tiny holes in leaves whose principal function is to let in oxygen and carbon dioxide and to let out water vapour. Aquatic plants don't have stomata. Floating plants have stomata on the top surface of the leaf. Grasses have mostly vertical leaves and stomata all over. Other plants tend to have horizontal leaves which have a relatively waterproof surface on the top and the stomata concentrated on the lower surface, away from any rainfall.

If plants take in water through stomata it's a bit like you taking in water through your skin. Sit in the bath for long enough and you'll get turgid and wrinkly but it's no substitute for a nice cup of tea!

I am not a botanist, so feel free to google a bit more!!

[smurfchops]

We won't go into stoma bags here ..

[gen2]

It just shows how much misinformation you can get from Google.

1. Stomata are NOT tiny holes in leaf cells, they are pores BETWEEN pairs of cells called 'guard cells'.

2. They allow GASES to pass in and out by DIFFUSION. (oxygen, carbondioxide, watervapour). Gases diffuse from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration.

[theprof]

gen2 is absolutely correct.

The statement "aquatic plants don't have stomata" is incorrect. There are amphibious species of isoetids living in oligotrophic lakes that do indeed possess functional stomata. Furthermore, non-functional stomata with fused guard cells can be demonstrated in a number of aquatic species.

[blackeyed]

ok, alright. So that would mean that a plant would take in water vapour from the air.But if you sprinkle water on the surface of the leaf, would it take that in too?

[gen2]

If liquid water were to somehow enter through the stomata and fill the airspaces of the spongy mesophill layer. That would disrupt gas exchange with the leaf cells. That would have dire consequences for transpiration and photosynthesis within the leaf and it would die.

If we forget the stomata and take your latest question as stated, then the answer is a qualified 'Yes'.
A small quantity of water may pass into leaf cells by osmosis until they become turgid.
However, many leaves have a waxy cuticle that acts as a waterproof barrier between the water and the cell walls and prevents that osmosis. Other leaves, particularly in tropical rainforests, have a drip point to assist in removal of excess water from the leaf surface.

The structure of plants is set up to cope with water entering at the roots and leaving at the leaves through the stomata (transpiration). It seems to me that you are trying to give your plants an enema by forcing it in at the wrong end.

[blackeyed]

lol gen2 i wont be trying that now!
and thnx for the answer :)