Leaf%Structure%%

and%Func.on%
Chapter%34%

The%Leaf%
Rela.vely%short%lived%
High%metabolic%cost%
Ex.%maple%tree%

Compe..on%%
Large%surface%area:%%
good%for%photosynthesis%
bad%for%evapora.on%

The%leaf%=%most%variable%plant%organ%

Carbon%xa.on%

Blade

Veins

Petiole

Axillary bud

Stipules

Stem

2%largest%classes%of%owering%plants:%
Monocots%and%Eudicots%%
What%is%a%cot?%
Cotyledon:%(seed%leaf):%%
part%of%the%embryo%within%the%seed;%
may%contain%food%stored%for%
germina.on%

Mono%

Di%

Monocots%vs.%Eudicots%%
Monocots,

Eudicots,

leaves%vary%in%shape,%(usually%
long%narrow%leaves%
broader%vs.%monocot)%
parallel%veins%
neUed,%nely%branched%veins%
grasses,%palms,%orchids,%
oaks,%roses,%cac.%
irises,%onions,%lilies%
blueberries,%sunowers%

The%leaf%=%most%variable%plant%organ%

Axillary bud

Axillary%buds%form%at%the%base%of%a%leaf%(both%simple%and%
compound),%but%never%at%the%base%of%leaets%

study parts

photosynthesis

Palisade
mesophyll
Vein
(vascular
bundle)
Spongy
mesophyll

Cuticle
Upper
epidermis

Bundle
sheath
Xylem
Phloem
Stoma
Lower
epidermis
Stoma

Guard cells

Palisade
mesophyll
Vein
(vascular
bundle)
Spongy
mesophyll

Cuticle
Upper
epidermis

Bundle
sheath
Xylem
Phloem
Stoma
Lower
epidermis
Stoma

Guard cells

Open

Closed

Pore

water moving into gard cells opens stomata

water moving out the grad closes the stomata
Guard
cells

Surrounding
cells

Stomatal%opening%and%closing%
Text

Stomatal%opening%and%closing%

loss%of%water%vapor%by%evapora.on%
from%aerial%plant%parts%

99%%of%the%water%a%plant%
absorbs%from%soil%is%lost%
by%transpira.on%(mostly%
through%open%stomata)%
Warm%temperature,%
light,%wind%and%dry%air%
increase%transpira.on%%
Humid%air%decreases%
transpira.on%

Tension Cohesion model

Water
molecules
Stem

Xylem
cells

Adhesion by
hydrogen bonding
Cell wall

Cohesion
by hydrogen
bonding

Cohesion and
adhesion in
the xylem
water is moving agains gravity

Transpira.on:%Temporary%Wil.ng%

In,the,late,a3ernoon,of,a,hot,day,,
the,leaves,have,wilted,because,of,
water,loss%

The,next,morning,,water,in,the,leaves,has,
been,replenished.,Transpira@on,is,negligible,
during,the,night,,and,the,plants,recover,by,
absorbing,water,from,the,soil.,

Turgor,pressure,
(water%pressure)%
provides%plant%
support%%
The%uid%within%the%
central%vacuole%of%a%
plant%creates%
pressure%against%
cell%wall%
Z%aids%in%structural%
support%%

Transpira.on%is%essen.al%for%water%movement%and%
distribu.on%of%essen.al%minerals%throughout%the%plant%

the general fuction of leafs are the process of photosynthesis

Modied%Leaves%

BractsB,leaves%that%look%like%owers%%
(poinse[a,%dogwood)%surround%small%ower%clusters%%

Modied%Leaves%

BulbsB,short%stem%with%eshy%leaves%

Modied%Leaves%

minimanize surface area

Succulent,leavesB,water%storage%%
(waxy,%spherical%to%prevent%water%loss)%%

Modied%Leaves%

Bud,scalesB%
Protec.on%of%meristema.c%.ssue%during%winter%

Modied%Leaves%

TendrilsZ%support%for%climbing%plants%%
(pea%plant)%

Modied%Leaves%

SpinesZ%defense%%
(stem%of%cactus%is%photosynthe.c)%%

Asexual reproduction

Modied%Leaves%

Mother%of%Thousands%

Modied%Leaves%
Guard cells of
sunken stoma

Epidermis and cuticle

Resin duct
Endodermis
Xylem

Vascular
Phloem bundle
Mesophyll cell
(photosynthetic
parenchyma cell)

Needles:%The%thick,%waxy%cu.cle%and%sunken%stomata%are%two%structural%%
adapta.ons%that%enable%pine%to%retain%its%needles%throughout%the%winter.%
Also,%low%surface%area%to%prevent%evapora.on%of%water%from%the%needles%%

Pitcher%plants%%

less eficiciency at photosynthesis

Sundews%

Venus%y%traps%