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The document provides an overview of leaf structure and its adaptations for photosynthesis in dicotyledonous plants. It details various leaf structures such as the cuticle, stomata, guard cells, and mesophyll layers, explaining their functions and adaptations for efficient photosynthesis. Additionally, it includes diagrams and descriptions of how these structures contribute to the overall process of photosynthesis.

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4 views

6.2

The document provides an overview of leaf structure and its adaptations for photosynthesis in dicotyledonous plants. It details various leaf structures such as the cuticle, stomata, guard cells, and mesophyll layers, explaining their functions and adaptations for efficient photosynthesis. Additionally, it includes diagrams and descriptions of how these structures contribute to the overall process of photosynthesis.

Uploaded by

hijahkhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cambridge O Level Biology Your notes

6.2 Leaf Structure


Contents
Leaf Structure
Identifying Leaf Structures in a Dicotyledonous Plant

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Leaf Structure
Your notes
Leaf Structure & Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Leaves are plant organs that carry out photosynthesis
Their structure is adapted to maximise photosynthesis, e.g.
They have a large surface area to maximise light absorption
They are thin to allow efficient movement of gases between leaf cells and the surrounding air
Leaf structure diagram

Leaves are adapted to carry out photosynthesis by being thin; this allows gases to diffuse quickly, e.g.
carbon dioxide can diffuse quickly between the surrounding air and the photosynthesising cells of the
leaf

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Identifying Leaf Structures in a Dicotyledonous Plant


Your notes
Identifying Leaf Structures in a Dicotyledonous Plant
Dicotyledonous plants are a group of flowering plants
The following structures are present in the leaves of dicotyledonous plants:
Cuticle
Stomata
Guard cells
Spongy mesophyll
Palisade mesophyll
Air spaces
Vascular bundles
Xylem
Phloem
Chloroplasts
Upper and lower epidermis
These structures are all adaptive features that allow leaves to photosynthesise efficiently
Dicotyledonous leaf structure diagram

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Your notes

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Your notes

The structures that make up the leaves of dicotyledonous plants allow them to carry out photosynthesis
efficiently
Leaf structure under a microscope diagram

Leaf structures can be seen clearly under a microscope


Leaf structure adaptations table

Structure Description Adaptation

Protects the leaf and reduces water


A transparent, fatty layer that covers
Waxy Cuticle loss by evaporation while allowing
the upper surface of the leaf
light through

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Stomata (singular Pores through which gases and water Allow carbon dioxide to diffuse into
stoma) vapour can diffuse; most plants have the leaf, and oxygen and water vapour
more stomata on their lower leaf to diffuse out Your notes
surface
Cells that surround the stomata;
Plants can close the stomata to
Guard Cells guard cells can change shape to
reduce water loss
open or close the stomata
A layer of photosynthesising cells Carry out photosynthesis, and allow
Spongy Mesophyll
with air spaces between them the easy movement of gases
A layer of column-shaped cells that Many cells can fit in a single layer
Palisade
are tightly packed together; they beneath the upper surface of leaves,
Mesophyll
contain many chloroplasts maximising photosynthesis
Allows the raw materials of
Vascular Bundle Contains xylem and phloem
photosynthesis to reach the leaf
Provides water for photosynthesis,
Xylem Transports water around the plant
and maintains the transpiration stream
Allows the products of
Transports sucrose and amino acids
Phloem photosynthesis to travel away from
around the plant
the leaves to other parts of the plant
A layer of thin cells on the top surface Allows light to pass through to the
Upper Epidermis
of leaves palisade and spongy mesophyll cells
A layer of cells, guard cells and
Lower Epidermis Allows gas exchange to take place
stomata on the underside of leaves

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