Effects of Abscisic Acid on Plant's Stomatal Control
It hasn't rained in several days and you have forgotten to water your fern. The roots sense a lack of water and produce the hormone abscisic acid. Abscisic acid triggers the guard cells to shrink. When the guard cells shrink, the stomatal pore closes and water loss decreases which inhibits the reproductive ability of the flower.
How does abscisic acid affect stomatal control?
Answer: Abscisic acid triggers guard cells to shrink.
Explanation:
One major activity of Abscisic acid is the wilting of leaves. Here, Abscisic acid produced in large amounts interfere with the retention of potassium ions in the guard cells, thereby, causing the stomata to close. When there is insufficient water in the plant, the Abscisic acid breaks down and the stomata pores reopen.
How does the absence of rain and lack of water trigger the production of abscisic acid in plants? The absence of rain and lack of water in plants signals the roots to produce abscisic acid as a hormone. Abscisic acid then triggers various responses in the plant, including the shrinking of guard cells to close stomatal pores and reduce water loss.