Leaf Structure
Function of Leaves
To carry out photosynthesis
How?
They need to absorb carbon dioxide, water, and
sunlight; and dispose of the products (glucose
and oxygen) once they are made
Leaf Structure
Blade: Fleshy part of
the leaf
Petiole: Stem
of the leaf
Vein: Transports
glucose and
water; support
Midrib: Central
rib of the leaf
What is a Cross Section?
Leaf Cross Section
A.
A. Cuticle:
Cuticle: Function
Location
Non-cellular
outer layer
that
Outermost surface;
layer on waxy
the surface
of a leaf
prevents water loss
A
B. Upper
Upper Epidermis:
Epidermis:Function
Location
Helps
protect level
the internal
tissues
fromtop
damage;
First cellular
of the leaf
on the
part analso
the
transparent to bottom
allow sunlight
the leaf
part oftoa penetrate
leaf
B
C. Palisade
Palisade Mesophyll:
Mesophyll:Function
Location
Found
beneath
the upper
epidermis; Vertically
Contain
large amounts
of chloroplasts;
where
elongated
cells
photosynthesis
occurs
in the leaf
C
D. Vascular
Vascular Bundle:
Bundle:Function
Location
Found within
theand
mesophyll;
in circlesthe
in
Location
of xylem
phloem; typically
xylem transports
water and the
phloem
crosstransports
section glucose
D
SpongyMesophyll:
Mesophyll:Function
Location
E.E.Spongy
beneath
mesophyll;
typically
TheFound
air spaces
allowthe
forPalisade
the transport
of gases
in and
very
spacious
out
of the
leaf
E
F. Stomata: Location
F. Stomata: Function
Found beneath on the lower epidermis on the
Allows water and gases to move in and out of the leaf
underside of a leaf; appear as small pores/opening
F