The difference lies in their grammatical function and meaning: "stomata" is a noun referring to the actual structures, while "stomatal" is an adjective relating to or pertaining to stomata.
Here's a breakdown:
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Stomata (plural noun): These are the apertures (pores) in the epidermis of plants, primarily leaves, that are used for gas exchange. Each stoma (singular) is bordered by two guard cells. According to the provided reference, stoma in Greek means "mouth," and the term is often used with reference to the stomatal pore only. Esau's definition, which is also used here, considers the stoma to include the guard cells and the pore between them. Stomata facilitate the uptake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and the release of oxygen and water vapor.
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Stomatal (adjective): This term describes something that is related to or associated with stomata. For example, stomatal density refers to the number of stomata per unit area on a leaf surface. Stomatal conductance refers to the measure of the rate of carbon dioxide entering or water vapor exiting through the stomata of a leaf.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Stomata | Stomatal |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Noun | Adjective |
| Definition | Pores in plant epidermis. | Relating to stomata. |
| Example | "The stomata are open." | "The stomatal density is high." |
| Function | Facilitate gas exchange. | Modifies nouns related to stomata. |
In essence, you have stomata, and you can study stomatal characteristics or functions.
