Plant Biology
Stomata
Microscopic pores on leaf surfaces that open and close to regulate gas exchange and water loss. The primary interface between a plant and the atmosphere.
Biological Context
Each stoma is flanked by two guard cells that control opening. When stomata open, CO2 enters for photosynthesis but water escapes via transpiration. Plants face a fundamental trade-off: open stomata enable growth but risk dehydration. Most plants have thousands of stomata per square centimeter of leaf.
Business Application
Organizational stomata: the controlled openings through which resources and information flow between inside and outside. Too open risks losing vital resources; too closed prevents necessary exchange.