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Core Experiment 4 Distribution of Stomata

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480 views3 pages

Core Experiment 4 Distribution of Stomata

Uploaded by

abhinab.nair
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Core Experiment 4

Study of Distribution of Stomata on Lower and Upper Surface


of Leaves
AIM:
To study the distribution of stomata on lower and upper surface of leaves
and calculate the stomatal index.

REQUIREMENTS:
Fresh leaves of Petunia, Bryophyllum, Rhoeo, Brassica, Lily etc., forceps,
needle, blade, brush, watch glass, petri dish, slides, coverslips, safranine,
glycerine, water, microscope etc.

THEORY:
Stomata are the minute pores guarded by two guard cells which contain
large number of chloroplasts. Guard cells are bean-shaped in dicot plants
whereas dumb-bell in monocot plants. They are surrounded by two or more
specialized epidermal cells called subsidiary cells.

The leaves of most dicot plants possess stomata only on the lower surface.
However, leaves of some mesophytic plants like potato, Petunia and beans
possess stomata on both the surfaces but more on the lower surface, whereas
in monocot leaves like grass and cereals, stomata are distributed equally on
both surfaces.
PROCEDURE:
1. Put a drop of safranine each on two slides - A and B.
2. Take out the peel from the upper surface of the leaf and place it on
slide A and peel from the lower surface of the leaf is placed on slide
B.
3. If the peel is big in size, then cut it into small square or rectangular
pieces.
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4. Wash extra stain with blotting paper and cover it with coverslip.
5. Observe the peels under low power and then under high power of
microscope.
6. Count the number of stomata and epidermal cells in the microscopic
field for both slides A and B.
7. Calculate the stomatal index with the help of the following formula:
Stomatal Index = No. of stomata X 100
No of stomata + No. of epidermal cells
8. Stomatal index of the lower surface of the leaf is higher than that of
the upper surface of the leaf.

OBSERVATION TABLE:

S. No Surface of leaf No. of Stomata No. of Epidermal cells Stomatal


Index
1. Upper Surface

2. Lower Surface

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RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
Monocot leaves have almost equal number of stomata on both the surfaces. Dicot
leaves have a greater number of stomata on the lower surface.
The sample of leaf has a greater number of stomata on the __________ surface
and a smaller number of stomata on the ___________ surface.

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Do not let the peel dry. Either transfer it to water or to the slide
containing drop of water or safranine.
2. Always use brush to transfer the peel from watch glass to slide.
3. Remove excess stain and glycerine with the help of blotting paper.
4. If the peel is too big, cut it into small pieces.
5. Do not let the peel fold.
6. Count the number of stomata and epidermal cells in the same
microscopic field.

*********

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