Saturday, June 24, 2017

2.20: Describe the Structure of the Leaf and Explain How it is Adapted for Photosynthesis

Diagram:
                              


STRUCTURE OF THE LEAF:

STRUCTURE
DESCRIPTION
WAX CUTICLE
Protective layer on top of the Leaf, Prevents Water from Evaporating
UPPER EPIDERMIS
Thin and Transparent to allow Light to Enter Palisade Mesophyll
PALISADE MESOPHYLL
Tightly Packed with Chloroplasts to Absorb More Light, Maximising Photosynthesis
SPONGY MESOPHYLL
Contains Internal Air Spaces that Increases the Surface Area to Volume Ratio for the Diffusion of Gases (Mainly Carbon Dioxide)
LOWER EPIDERMIS
Contains Guard Cells and Stomata
GUARD CELL
Absorbs and Loses Water to Open and Close the Stomata to Allow Carbon Dioxide to Diffuse in, Oxygen to Diffuse Out
STOMATA
Where Gas Exchange takes place, Opens during the Day, Closes during the Night



ADAPTATIONS FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS:

PHOTOSYNTHESIS: Conversion of Light Energy from the Sun into Chemical Energy by Chlorophyll such as Glucose, which is then stored as Starch

FEATURE
ADAPTATION
LARGE SURFACE AREA (LEAF)
Increases Surface Area for the Diffusion of Carbon Dioxide and Absorption of Light for Photosynthesis
THIN
Allows Carbon Dioxide to Diffuse into Leaf Cells Easily, e.g Chloroplasts
CHLOROPHYLL
Absorbs Light Energy and Converts it into Chemical Energy such as Glucose which is the stored as Starch
NETWORK OF VEINS
Allows the Transport of Water and Carbohydrates from the Leaves of the Plants for Photosynthesis (Water FOR Photosynthesis, Carbohydrates as a PRODUCT of Photosynthesis)
STOMATA
Allows Carbon Dioxide to Diffuse into the Leaf
EPIDERMIS IS THIN AND TRANSPARENT
Allows More Light to reach the Palisade Cells
THIN CUTICLE MADE OF WAX
To Protect the Leaf without Blocking Sunlight
PALISADE CELL LAYER AT TOP OF LEAF
Maximises the Absorption of Light as it is directly underneath Sunlight
SPONGY LAYER
Air Spaces allow Carbon Dioxide to Diffuse through the Leaf, Increasing the Surface Area
PALISADE CELLS CONTAIN MANY CHLOROPLASTS
Absorbs More Light so Maximises Photosynthesis

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