Leaves the main photosynthetic organs in a plant.

They are adapted to carry out photosynthesis efficiently.

How are the physical structures
of leaves adapted for
photosynthesis?
Leaf lamina:
Consists of a flat, thin lamina
which is joined to the stem by a
petiole.

This petiole holds the leaves

in the best position to
receive the maximum
amount of sunlight.
Leaf lamina:
The flattened shape of the
lamina has a large surface to
trap sunlight and is thin so
that light can penetrate.

The thinnest of the lamina also allows

diffusion of gases involved in photosynthesis
to take place efficiently in the leaf.
The veins that connect the leaf to the rest of the plant
contain Xylem and Phloem Tissue.
Inside the vascular bundle (vein) are tubes
(known as Xylem & Phloem that transport
materials from place to place in the plant.
What is taken where?
Water is taken up the plant
from the roots to the
leaves
(for photosynthesis and
transpiration) - in xylem
vessels

Food (the product of

photosynthesis) is taken
from the leaves
and moved up and down the
plant
to any part which needs it
(for growth or for storage) -
in phloem vessels.
 The leaves of whole plants are
arranged so that they are in the
optimum position for photosynthesis.

Most plants, the

leaves grow so that
they overlap each
other as little as
possible.
 This arrangement, called a leaf mosaic, enables
leaves to receive as much light as possible.

Plants can also detect the direction of light so that their leaves are
always held in the best position to absorb the maximum amount of light.
How are cells within the tissue
of a leaf adapted for
photosynthesis?
 Internal structure of a leaf
A leaf consists of
following layers.
Cuticle
Upper epidermis
Palisade mesophyll
Spongy mesophyll
Lower epidermis
Pores also known
as stoma /stomata
Monocot Leaf cross section - Zea
Dicotyledonous leaf cross section
 Cuticle Cuticle

The outer thick waxy

(waterproof) covering of
the plants and leaves.
Cuticle protects plant
from drying out by
prevent excessive water
loss.
Does not let oxygen or
carbon dioxide pass
through it.
It is transparent to allow
light to penetrate the
leaf.
 Upper epidermis
Upper epidermis
consists of a
single layer of
cells covered by
cuticle.
Consists of a
single layer.
Do not contain
chloroplast.
 Upper epidermis

Thin and transparent

allows

Light easily to penetrate the leaf

reach
The light-trapping
chloroplast inside.
 Palisade mesophyll
Just beneath the
epidermis there are
column shaped cells
containing chloroplast
are known as Palisade
mesophyll .

Most photosynthesis
takes place here.
These cells are cylindrical,

in an upright arrangement
near
the upper surface of the leaf

So they receive the maximum

amount of light.

It also have high density of chloroplast to carry out maximum

absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.

The cell walls of palisades are

coated with a film of water so that the carbon dioxide can dissolve before
diffusing into the cells.
 high density of chloroplast

carry out maximum

absorption of sunlight

photosynthesis to occur
 The cell walls of palisades

coated with a film of water

carbon dioxide can dissolve

in the film of water

make it easily to diffused into

the cells
Spongy mesophyll
The second type of mesophyll tissue

which is composed
of
closely packed
irregular shape cells
surrounded by air
spaces.

There are fewer chloroplast

because they are under side of
the leaf.
 have large air spaces between the cells

Allow easy diffusion of water and carbon dioxide

through the leaf to the palisade cells.

The irregular shapes of these cells increase

the internal surface area for gaseous exchange.
Lower epidermis

Below the spongy mesophyll is the

lower epidermis. We will see
vascular bundle here and stomata.
The xylem (colored blue) transport
water & minerals from the roots,
through the stem, & into the leaves
(water needed for photosynthesis).

Phloem (colored orange) are tubes

that transport "food" from leaves
through the plant. This "food" is
basically sugary water (sap). The
sugars are synthesized (made) during
photosynthesis.
 What are stomata or stoma?

The pore like openings

in the underside of the
leaf is called stoma
(singular) and stomata
(plural).

Each stoma consists of

two guard cells which
control the opening and
closing of the stomata
 What is the function of stoma /stomata ?

Stomata allow carbon

dioxide and oxygen
and water vapor diffuse
into and out of the leaf
by opening and closing.
 Stomata support photosynthesis by allowing
exchange of gases between internal part of the leaf
and the environment.
 Structure of stomata
Stomata consists of
two guard cells. When
there is high water
pressure guard cells
open. Low water
pressure in the guard
cells cause stomata
to close.
 Do you think stomata are open
all the time?
Plants keep their
stomata open just
enough to allow
photosynthesis to
take place but not
so much that they
lose excessive
amount of water.
 What would happen if the stomata
were kept open all the time?
If the stomata were
kept open all the
time, water loss due
to transpiration
would be so great
that few plants
would be able to
take enough water
to survive.
 What is the time frame of opening
and closing stomata?
In general, However, stomata
may be closed even
stomata are open
in the bright
during the day sunlight under hot,
time when dry conditions in
photosynthesis which water
are active, and conservation is a
closed at night. matter of life and
death.
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