DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCE
COURSE: PLANT STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
PRACTICAL 4
LECTURER: ZIVUKU .M (2015)
Introduction
In this lab you will explore the structure and function of leaves. You are provided
with of leaves of a dicotyledonous plant. You are also required to make a cross
section of the leaf and show how the distribution of tissues relates to the leaf’s
function.
You are also provided with a prepared slide of a monocot leaf.
Materials/ apparatus
-
Microscrope
Dicots leaves
Scapel blades
Transparent microscope slides
Cover slip
Glycerine/Sufranin dye
Distilled water
Prepare slide of a monocot leaf
Method







Using a sharp scalpel blade, cut thin sections of a cross section of a dicot leaf
provided.
The section cut from the leaf must be as closer as possible to the petiole so
as to include vascular bundles.
Place it on top of a transparent slide and add one drop of glycerine and cover
it with a cover slip.
Mount it on a microscope and examine the entire cross section of the leaf.
Sketch and annotate your diagram.
You are also provided with a prepared slide a cross section of a monocot
leaf. Examine the internal structure of monocot leaf and annotate your
drawing.
Write a lab report. Your discussion must include among others; the
distribution of palisade and spongy mesophyll and how they relate to their
function; how does the internal structure of a dicot leaf differs from a monocot
leaf; how variation of leaves occur in woody and flowering plants and various
leaf modifications including xerophytic plants and how the modification allows
the plants to survive under these adverse conditions.
Page 1 of 1