Stomatal Mechanics

A model of stomatal movement due to changes in turgor is presented which systematically illustrates the role of certain anatomical features. During the expansion of paired guard cells, there are two physical constraints that cause the guard cells to bend and thus open the stomatal pore. The radial orientation of the micellae is shown to be the crucial feature which directly transmits the movement of the dorsal wall of the polar and central section to the stomatal slit. Furthermore, it is necessary that either the overall length of the entire stomatal apparatus or length of the common wall between the polar segments of the guard cells be constrained during the expansion of the guard cells. The model also shows that asymmetrically thickened guard cell walls are not necessary to cause bending of the guard cell. The ideas set forth in our model are consistent with the opening movements of both elliptical and grass‐type stomata.