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| Adaptations of a leaf for photosynthesis
Transverse section of a leaf showing some of the adaptations
• Cuticle: - Is non-cellular, water proof and transparent. It allows light to pass through.
• Upper epidermis: - Is a single layer of cells on the upper surface of a leaf. It allows light to pass to the cells below.
• Palisade mesophyll: - has cells vertically arranged such that many can fit into a small space. The cells have large number of chloroplasts.
• Chloroplasts:- contain chlorophyll for absorbing sunlight.
• Spongy mesophyll: - Have large air spaces for fast diffusion of gases to and from the photosynthesizing cells. The cells have few chloroplasts.
• Veins (Vascular bundles): - They act as drain pipes distributing raw materials to the leaves and conducting away manufactured food to other parts of a plant.
• Stoma: - A pore that allows gaseous exchange to take place. Carbon dioxide enters and oxygen leaves the leaf through stomata.
• Thin lamina: - Provides a short distance over which diffusion of gases take place.
• Broad lamina: - Some leaves have a broad lamina which provides a large surface area for absorbing sunlight energy. |
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