Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Biology Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 Leaves Photo Credit: Getty Images Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure Leaf Structure How does the structure of a leaf enable it to carry out photosynthesis? Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure The structure of a leaf is optimized for absorbing light and carrying out photosynthesis. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure To collect sunlight, most leaves have thin, flattened sections called blades. Blade Most of a leaf consists of a blade attached to the stem by a petiole. The blade of a simple leaf (left) can be different shapes. In a compound leaf (right), the blade is divided into many separate leaflets. Simple leaf Leaflet Petiole Bud Compound leaf Stem Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure The blade is attached to the stem by a thin stalk called a petiole. Blade Most of a leaf consists of a blade attached to the stem by a petiole. The blade of a simple leaf (left) can be different shapes. In a compound leaf (right), the blade is divided into many separate leaflets. Simple leaf Leaflet Petiole Bud Compound leaf Stem Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure Simple leaves have only one blade and one petiole. Blade Most of a leaf consists of a blade attached to the stem by a petiole. The blade of a simple leaf (left) can be different shapes. In a compound leaf (right), the blade is divided into many separate leaflets. Simple leaf Leaflet Petiole Bud Compound leaf Stem Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure Compound leaves have several blades, or leaflets, that are joined together and to the stem by several petioles. Blade Most of a leaf consists of a blade attached to the stem by a petiole. The blade of a simple leaf (left) can be different shapes. In a compound leaf (right), the blade is divided into many separate leaflets. Simple leaf Leaflet Petiole Bud Compound leaf Stem Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure Leaves are covered on the top and bottom by epidermis. Epidermis Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Epidermis Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure The epidermis of many leaves is covered by the cuticle. Cuticle Epidermis Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Epidermis Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure The cuticle and epidermal cells form a waterproof barrier that protects tissues inside the leaf and limits the loss of water through evaporation. The vascular tissues of leaves are connected directly to the vascular tissues of stems. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure In leaves, xylem and phloem tissues are gathered together into bundles that run from the stem into the petiole. In the leaf blade, the vascular bundles are surrounded by parenchyma and sclerenchyma cells. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Structure All these tissues form the veins of a leaf. Xylem Vein Phloem Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Leaf Functions Most leaves consist of a specialized ground tissue known as mesophyll. Palisade mesophyll Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Spongy mesophyll Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions The layer of mesophyll cells found directly under the epidermis is called the palisade mesophyll. These closely-packed cells absorb light that enters the leaf. Palisade mesophyll Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Beneath the palisade mesophyll is the spongy mesophyll, a loose tissue with many air spaces between its cells. Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Spongy mesophyll Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions The air spaces connect with the exterior through stomata. Stomata are porelike openings in the underside of the leaf that allow carbon dioxide and oxygen to diffuse into and out of the leaf. Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Stoma Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Each stoma consists of two guard cells. Guard cells are specialized cells that control the opening and closing of stomata by responding to changes in water pressure. Leaves absorb light and carry out most of the photosynthesis in a plant. Some of the most important manufacturing sites on Earth are found in the leaves of plants. The cells in plant leaves are able to use light energy to make carbohydrates. Guard cells Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Transpiration The surfaces of spongy mesophyll cells are kept moist so gases can enter and leave the cells easily. Water evaporates from these surfaces and is lost to the atmosphere. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Transpiration is the loss of water through its leaves. This lost water is replaced by water drawn into the leaf through xylem vessels in the vascular tissue. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Gas Exchange How does gas exchange take place in a leaf? Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Plant leaves allow gas exchange between air spaces in the spongy mesophyll and the exterior by opening their stomata. Plants keep their stomata open just enough to allow photosynthesis to take place but not so much that they lose an excessive amount of water. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Guard cells are specialized cells that control the stomata. Stomata open and close in response to changes in water pressure within guard cells. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions When water pressure within guard cells is high, the stoma open. Plants regulate the opening and closing of their stomata to balance water loss with rates of photosynthesis. A stoma opens or closes in response to the changes in pressure within the guard cells that surround the opening. When the guard cells are swollen with water the stoma is open. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions When water pressure within guard cells decreases, the stoma closes. Plants regulate the opening and closing of their stomata to balance water loss with rates of photosynthesis. A stoma opens or closes in response to the changes in pressure within the guard cells that surround the opening. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Leaf Functions Plants regulate the opening and closing of their stomata to balance water loss with rates of photosynthesis. Stomata are open in daytime, when photosynthesis is active, and closed at night, to prevent water loss. In hot, dry conditions stomata may close even in bright sunlight, to conserve water. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 A compound leaf is one that has a blade attached by several petioles. two or more blades. a blade that is divided into many leaflets. many blades, each with its own petiole. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 The layer of cells in a leaf that absorb light is the phloem. vein. palisade mesophyll. epidermis. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 The structure of a leaf allows it to maximize sun exposure and maximize water loss. maximize sun exposure and minimize water loss. minimize sun exposure and maximize water loss. minimize sun exposure and minimize water loss. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 A process in which water is lost through the leaves of a plant is called transpiration. photosynthesis. glycolysis. cellular respiration. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall 23–4 Gas exchange in a leaf occurs through the cuticle. epidermis. mesophyll. stomata. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

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