Leveggázcsere

Leveggázcsere refers to the process by which plants exchange gases with their environment. Primarily, this involves the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the release of oxygen (O2) during photosynthesis, and the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide during respiration. This exchange occurs predominantly through small pores on the surface of leaves called stomata.

Stomata are typically found on the underside of leaves and are surrounded by guard cells. These guard cells regulate the opening and closing of the stomata, controlling the rate of gas exchange and also influencing water loss through transpiration. When stomata are open, CO2 can enter the leaf to be used in photosynthesis, and O2, a byproduct of photosynthesis, can exit. Simultaneously, water vapor also escapes, a process known as transpiration.

During respiration, which occurs in all living plant cells at all times, plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. While photosynthesis generally produces a surplus of oxygen and consumes more carbon dioxide than respiration releases, the net effect of leveggázcsere over a 24-hour period is the uptake of CO2 and release of O2, which is fundamental to life on Earth. Environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and humidity significantly affect the rate of leveggázcsere by influencing stomatal aperture.