How Do Water Molecules Diffuse Through Plant Stomata?

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SUMMARY

Water molecules diffuse through plant stomata by transitioning from liquid to vapor at mesophyll cell walls, then moving through intercellular air spaces before exiting via stomatal pores. The diffusion constant for water vapor in air is established at D = 2.4 x 10−5 m2s−1. Given a stomatal pore cross-sectional area of A = 6.8 x 10−11 m2 and a length of L = 7.0 x 10−5 m, calculations for water concentration in the air yield a partial pressure of 1.18 kPa, derived from the saturated vapor pressure at 17 °C (1.93 kPa) and relative humidity (61%).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law
  • Knowledge of vapor pressure and relative humidity concepts
  • Familiarity with diffusion constants and their significance
  • Basic calculations involving molar mass of water (18.0 g mol−1)
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate water vapor concentration using the ideal gas law
  • Explore the relationship between vapor pressure and relative humidity
  • Investigate the effects of temperature on vapor pressure
  • Learn about the role of stomata in plant transpiration
USEFUL FOR

Botanists, environmental scientists, and students studying plant physiology or gas exchange processes in plants.

supakillea
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Inside the leaf of a plant, water vapour passes from the liquid phase to the vapour phase at the walls of the mesophyll cells, as shown in the figure (N/A due to copyright). The water vapour then diffuses through the intercellular air spaces and eventually exits the leaf through the stomatal pores. The diffusion constant for water vapor in air is D = 2.4 x 10−5 m2s−1. A stomatal pore has a cross-sectional area A = 6.8 x 10−11 m2 and a length L = 7.0 x 10−5 m. The plant is being propagated in a controlled environment: T = 17 °C, relative humidity 61 %. The saturated vapour pressure of water at 17 °C is 1.93 kPa.

(a) Assuming that the air around the plant is an ideal gas, what is the concentration of water molecules per cubic meter in the air? __________ molecules/m³

(b) Given that the molar mass of water is 18.0 g mol−1, what is the concentration of water in the air in kg/m³? __________ kg/m³2. Homework Equations - don't know...I know that the partial pressure of water vapour is 1.18kPa which can be worked out by using the saturated vapour pressure of water and the relative humidity ( x/1.93 = 0.61 , x = 1.18kPa )
But what do you do with it? I think its got something to do with the total pressure and etc but don't know exactly how
Please help me
Thanks
 
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Hint: ideal gas law. You're correct that p for the water is 1.18 kPa.
 

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