13 Core Difference between Stomata and Hydathodes with Table

Table of Contents

What is the difference between stomata and hydathodes?

Plants have specialized pores on the aerial parts for getting rid of excess water. These pores are stomata and hydathodes. Excess loss of water can lead to plant wilting.

The core difference between stomata and hydathodes is stomata are found on the epidermis of the leaves, stems, and fruits while hydathodes are found on the tips and margin of young leaves.

Difference between Stomata and Hydathodes

What Are Stomata?

Stomata are specialized pores present on the aerial part of the plant especially on the lower epidermis of the leaves. They are responsible for gaseous exchange and transpiration.

The opening and closing of stomata are controlled by guard cells. They are further divided into:

Anomocytic Stomata

Anisocytic Stomata

Diacytic Stomata

Paracytic Stomata

Gramineous Stomata

What Are Hydathodes?

Hydathodes are pore-like structures located along the margin of the leaves and they secrete water droplets. They are quite common in angiosperm leaves.

Guttation is the process through which these leaves secrete water droplets and other substances out of the plant. They can either be active or passive hydathodes.

Comparison Chart: Stomata vs Hydathodes

Basic Terms	Stomata	Hydathodes
Associated with	Associated with transpiration	Associated with guttation
Significance	Facilitate gaseous exchange in plants	Does not enhance the gaseous exchange
Location	Present on lower epidermis of the leaf, young stems and floral parts	Presence on the margin of the leaf where vascular supply vein meet
Surrounded by	Specialized epidermal cells known as guard cells	Ring of non-specialized cells
Chloroplast	Present in the guard cells	Absent
Subtended	Sub-stomatal cavity	Sub-epidermal cavity and mass of loosely packed parenchyma cells
Role of specialized cells	Opening and closing of stomata	No control of opening and closing of hydathodes
Cycle	Remain closed at night and open in the daytime	Tend to remain open throughout
Dependency	Do not depend on the end of the veins	Tend to be associated with the end of the veins
Subsidiary cells	Present	Absent
Types	Anomocytic Stomata Anisocytic Stomata Diacytic Stomata Paracytic Stomata Gramineous Stomata	Active hydathodes and Passive hydathodes
What They Pass Out	Stomata pass out water vapor.	Hydathode passes out liquid water.

Core Differences between Stomata and Hydathodes In Point Form

Stomata are found on the aerial part of the plants while hydathodes are found on the margin of the leaf

Stomata are responsible for gaseous exchange and transpiration while hydathodes for guttation

Stomata pass out water vapor while hydathode pass out water droplets

Stomata are surrounded by guard cells while hydathodes by a ring of non-specialized cells

Guard cells of stomata contain chloroplast while non-specialized cells of hydathodes do not

Stomata are controlled by guard cells for opening and closing while hydathodes tend to remain open throughout

Hydathodes depend on vascular bundles supply ends while stomata do not depend on any ends of veins

Stomata tend to open in the day and close at night while hydathodes remain open throughout

Stomata are surrounded by many subsidiary cells while hydathodes are not surrounded by subsidiary cells

Stomata facilitate a gaseous exchange for photosynthesis while hydathodes do not facilitate gaseous exchange.

Similarities between Stomata and Hydathodes

Both pores open to the exterior environment

Both are found on the leaves

Both compose of living cells

Both release water to the atmosphere

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Comparison Video

Summary

Stomata are associated with transpiration and gaseous exchange while hydathodes are associated with guttation. Both specialized pores are found on the leaves and contain living cells.

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