Stoma: Gas Exchange in Tulips

Tulips are well known in Pella, Iowa. In addition to being an early sign of spring, they are also an enormous part of the Tulip Time Festival. Carbon dioxide and oxygen pass through the tulips’ leaves using the stomata during the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, causing matter to move from the atmosphere to the biosphere and vice versa. 

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• What parts of the plant exchange gas?
• What are these structures on the underside of the leaf?
• How does carbon dioxide or oxygen enter or exit the leaf?
• What happens when leaves are sealed in a biochamber with lights?
• What happens when leaves are sealed in a biochamber without lights?
• How do plants exchange gases with the atmosphere?
• Is gas exchanged in other parts of the plant?

Classroom Suggestions

• Identify parts of the plant.
• Make a claim about how carbon dioxide and oxygen enter the plant referencing the structure of the underside of the leaf including the stoma. 
• Analyze data from leaves using a biochamber with light and without light.
• Formulate the equation for photosynthesis and respiration. 

Related Resources

• Leaf Stomata Lab: Explanation of how to make slides from leaves to see the stomata. 
• Vernier: Tips and Tricks for Success with Photosynthesis: Using carbon dioxide and oxygen sensors to create data showing photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
• Photosynthesis Web Simulation: Simulation of how photosynthesis works.
• Leaves and Photosynthesis: Explanation of photosynthesis and stoma in the  leaves. 
• Tulips in Pella: Tulip Time in Pella is a yearly planned event featuring tulips.