What will be the effect of accumulation of K⁺ ions in guard cells

Options

(a) Water potential increases
(b) Water potential decreases
(c) Loss of turgidity
(d) Exosmosis

Correct Answer:

Water potential decreases

Explanation:

The opening and closing of stomata depends on the concentration of solutes in the guard cells (the main component of the solute concentration in guard cells is K⁺). When the concentration of solutes, K⁺ ion guard cells increases, their osmotic pressure increases. In other words, their water potential decreases. As a result of this, they absorb water from their surrounding epidermal cells, their turgidity increases.