What happens to guard cells when they become turgid?

When guard cells become turgid, this means they have absorbed water and are filled with fluid, causing them to swell. As a result of this swelling, the guard cells increase in size and begin to push against each other. This action is crucial because it leads to the opening of the stoma, allowing gases such as carbon dioxide to enter the leaf for photosynthesis and letting oxygen and water vapor exit.

Turgidity of guard cells is essential for their function in regulating the size of the stomatal opening, and this helps the plant maintain proper gas exchange and water retention. The process is influenced by changes in water availability and light conditions, reflecting the plant's need to balance photosynthesis with water loss.