In land plants, the guard cells differ from other epidermal cells in having
Chloroplasts
Cytoskeleton
Mitochondria
Endoplasmic reticulum
The correct option is Option 1) Chloroplasts.
Guard cells are specialized cells found in the epidermis of plant leaves and stems. They are responsible for controlling the opening and closing of stomata, which are small openings on the leaf surface that regulate gas exchange and transpiration.
One of the distinctive features of guard cells is the presence of chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are organelles responsible for photosynthesis, where they capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy. The presence of chloroplasts in guard cells allows them to synthesize sugars and actively transport ions, such as potassium, which regulates the opening and closing of the stomata.