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Bulliform cells are specialized cells found in the epidermis of grass leaves and other monocots. They play a crucial role in regulating water loss and maintaining turgor pressure in plants, particularly in response to changes in water availability. When water is scarce, bulliform cells lose water and shrink. This loss of turgor pressure causes the leaves to curl along their length, reducing the surface area exposed to sunlight and thereby minimizing water loss through transpiration.
This adaptive response is vital for the survival of the plant in arid conditions, as it helps to preserve internal moisture levels. By curling, the leaves create a microenvironment that may also help reduce the amount of direct sunlight and wind exposure, further minimizing evaporation. In contrast, when water is available, bulliform cells absorb water, leading to their expansion, which allows the leaves to unroll and maximize light absorption for photosynthesis.
Other choices describe processes that do not accurately relate to the function of bulliform cells in response to water availability, highlighting why those are not correct in this context.