9/23/2014

Testing Stomatal Density in

Leaves
Authors deleted

Transpiration in Plants
Evaporation of water from stomata
Loss of water creates pulling force
Helps plants collect vital minerals
97% of water evaporates
Transpiration Rates
increase in higher temperature and wind
regulated by stomatal opening and closing

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Formulating Research Topic

Leaf thickness article:
Relates thickness/stomatal density to light intensity
Leaves in direct sun thicker more stomata

Plant-water relations article:

Stomatal density affects transpiration rates affect
photosynthesis rates
Light of low intensity less effective than stronger
illumination in inducing stomatal opening

Formulating Research Topic

Questions
Sun v. shade effect # of stomata?
Sun v. shade effect rate of transpiration?

Hypothesis
Differences exist regarding stomatal density and
transpiration rates when Liquidambarst styraciflua
(Sweetgum) is located in a sunny environment and when it
is located in a shady environment

Prediction
Leaves in sunny environment have higher stomatal density

9/23/2014

Architecture of Experiment
Testing
Leaves
Sunny v. Shady
Conditions

Sweetgum
Liquidambarst styraciflua
Large tree
Easily identified by Leaves
Not native to California

9/23/2014

Methods & Materials

Test: Porometer

measures stomatal conductance

1. Find Sweet gum in shade

2. Get reading, repeat for sun environment
3. 6 Readings in total!

Sample Size: 6 plants

3 in shade
3 in sun

Location: LMU School grounds

Statistics: T-Test

Methods & Materials

Test: Nail Polish Leaf Impression
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Acquire 6 sunny & 6 shady leaves

Coat polish on both halves
Place tape on polish, remove
Tape on slides, view under microscope
Count stomata

Statistics: T-Test

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Porometer Data Collected

Stomatal Conductance
Sunny

Shady

Average
(mmol/m^2s)

209.7

67.8

Standard
Deviation

74.19

16.31

Average
Temperature (C)

26.5

25.2

Average Stomatal Conductance

(mmol/m^2s)

Porometer Data Graphed

300

Stomatal Conductance in Various

Environments

250
200
150
100
50
0
Sunny

Shady
Leaf Environment
P<.05

9/23/2014

Nail Polish Leaf Impression Data Collected

Number of Stomata
Sunny Leaves

Shady Leaves

Average per
F.O.V.

50

38.25

Standard
Deviation

4.5

2.8

Stomata Count Graphed

Average # of Stomata per F.O.V.

Stomata Present in Various Environments

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Sunny Leaves
Shady Leaves
Leaf Environment
P<.05

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Results
Calculating
Stomata
Density

Total
stomata/F.O.V

mm^2

Results
Porometer
P value = 0.0318
P < .05

Hypothesis Stands
Stomata Count
P value= 1.25781E-07
P < .05

Hypothesis Stands

9/23/2014

Conclusion
Differences exist b/w stomatal density of Sweet gum
leaves in a sunny v. shady environment
Higher stomatal density in sun
Lower in shade
T-Test Supports Claim
Prediction Correct

Leaves in sun need higher stomatal density to facilitate &

control transpiration rates since in direct sunlight.

Literature Cited
Terashima, I. "Irradiance and Phenotype: Comparative
Eco-development of Sun and Shade Leaves in Relation to
Photosynthetic CO2 Diffusion." Journal of Experimental
Botany 57.2 (2005): 343-54. Print.
Bernard S. Meyer, "Plant-water relations," in
AccessScience, McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008,
http://www.accessscience.com