Yes, oxygen can enter the stomata.
How Stomata Function in Gas Exchange
Stomata are tiny pores on the surface of leaves and other plant organs. Their primary function is gas exchange, crucial for photosynthesis. This process involves taking in carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis and releasing oxygen (O2) as a byproduct. However, the process is bi-directional. While plants release oxygen through the stomata during photosynthesis, they also take in oxygen through the same pores for respiration. Respiration is the process where plants use oxygen to break down sugars and produce energy.
- CO2 intake: Plants absorb CO2 through the stomata, using it to produce sugars during photosynthesis.
- O2 release: Oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis, is released through the stomata.
- O2 intake: Plants also absorb oxygen through the stomata for respiration, a process vital for their energy production.
The statement "nearly all land plants use the same pores — called stomata — to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen" clearly indicates that stomata facilitate the movement of both gases. The fact that oxygen is released as a byproduct of photosynthesis doesn't preclude its entry via the same pathway, especially for respiration.
Therefore, oxygen's movement through the stomata is part of the overall gas exchange process essential for plant survival.
