The Big Picture: Leaf Structure
The Big Picture: Leaf Structure
The Big Picture: Leaf Structure
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Leaf structure
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6.2.1 () Contents
6.2.2 () 6.2.0 The big picture ()
6.2.1 Explaining leaf structure ()
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6.2.2 Summary and key terms ()
6.2.3 Checklist ()
Section 6.2.0
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Leaves seem ordinary but are, in fact, complicated chemical factories that manufacture food.
Before you move on to the next section, read through the learning outcomes below and answer the section questions to
check that you have the prior knowledge required to understand this subtopic.
Learning intentions
By the end of this subtopic, you will be able to understand how the structure of the leaf is adapted for
photosynthesis and identify the structures in the leaf.
To see the full list of learning objectives, go to the Checklist (/schoolstaff/app/cambridge-igcse-biology-
fe2023/book/plant-nutrition/leaf-structure/checklist/).
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Question 1
Short text
True or false?
Correct answers
False
F
Answer explanation
Question 2
Short text
True or false?
False
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F
6.2.0 () Answer explanation
#1 chloroplasts
Section 6.2.1
Leaf structure
Figure 1 shows the structures found in the leaf of a dicotyledonous plant (a typical broad-leaved flowering plant). A
leaf may appear thin; however, it is composed of several layers of cells.
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Study skills
You should be able to identify all these structures in a diagram of a leaf.
The interactive model below shows the layers of a leaf in 3D. If you click on the numbers there is more detail about leaf
structure. This model includes some information that is beyond the requirements of this syllabus. The terms that are
included on this syllabus are: (1) palisade mesophyll, (2) guard cell, (3) xylem and phloem, (4) spongy mesophyll and
(5) cuticle and epidermal cells. The functions and adaptations of each of these terms are included in Table 1 below.
Leaf Cross Section for Biology Task
by
beltain
by
beltain
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Loading 3D model
Practical skills
At times, structures look different under the microscope from their diagrams. The micrograph in Figure 2 shows a
cross-section of a leaf. Try to identify the different layers.
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Table 1 summarises the functions and adaptations of the structures seen in Figure 1. The table is organised in order of
the labels in Figure 1, starting with cuticle and going clockwise to spongy mesophyll.
upper epidermis protects the inner cells thin layer without chloroplasts, which lets light pass
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through for photosynthesis
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palisade mesophyll layer tissue in which photosynthesis box-shaped cells that pack closely together; each cell has
happens lots of chloroplasts pushed to the edges of the cell by a
large vacuole so they can absorb more light
xylem carries water and mineral ions made from dead cells, forming hollow, waterproof
from the roots to the leaf tubes, through which water passes
phloem carries sucrose away from the consists of sieve tubes (through which the sucrose is
leaf transported) and companion cells (that provide energy for
the transport)
lower epidermis protects the inner cells thin layer that (apart from guard cells) does not contain
chloroplasts, which lets light pass through for
photosynthesis
Structure Function Adaptation
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guard cell work in pairs to control the size entry and loss of water from the guard cells (due to
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of the opening of a stoma osmosis) results in changes in their shape; this in turn leads
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stomata (singular: controls the diffusion of water the size of the opening changes in response to the internal
6.2.3 () stoma) vapour and gases in and out of and external environments of the plant
the leaf
spongy mesophyll site of gas exchange cells are loosely spaced, creating air spaces to allow
diffusion of gases throughout the leaf
Activity
How well can you identify the structures within the leaf? Drag and drop the words to label the structures.
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Spongy
Stomata Lower epidermis Upper epidermis
mesophyll
Check
Reuse Embed
Study skills
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One way to remember the layers of the leaf is to do a visualisation exercise. Carefully study the picture. Now, close
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your eyes and imagine that you are a molecule of air entering the leaf through the stomata. Move from the lower
6.2.1 () surface to the upper surface of the leaf. Visualise the layers you would encounter. Concentrate on the details that
you are likely to see.
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Section questions
- Hide 5 questions
Question 1
Multiple choice
Choices
Correct choice #1
Epidermal cells
Answer explanation
The epidermal layers are composed of cells that do not have chloroplasts.
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Palisade mesophyll
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Guard cells
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#4
6.2.0 () Spongy mesophyll
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6.2.2 () Question 2
Multiple choice
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Large air spaces are found between the cells of the…
Choices
Correct choice #1
spongy mesophyll
Answer explanation
The cells of the spongy mesophyll are loosely packed with large spaces between them that permit the diffusion of
gases.
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palisade mesophyll
#3
epidermis
#4
guard cells
Question 3
Multiple choice
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Choices
Correct choice #1
Answer explanation
‘Meso’ means middle and ‘phyll’ means leaf, indicating that the mesophyll layer is a central layer of the leaf. The
spongy mesophyll layer is lower down in the leaf. It is ‘spongy’ because it contains lots of air cavities. The upper
epidermis is the top layer of cells.
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Spongy mesophyll layer
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Upper epidermis
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Waxy cuticle
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Question 4
Multiple choice
Which feature is responsible for the transport of some of the products of photosynthesis from the leaves to the roots?
Choices
Correct choice #1
Phloem
Answer explanation
Phloem carries sucrose and other products from the leaf to other parts of the plant.
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Xylem
#3
Chloroplasts
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Stomata
Question 5
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State the name of the layer that prevents water loss from the leaves of a plant by evaporation.
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6.2.2 () cuticle
wax cuticle
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waxy cuticle
waxy cuticle layer
Answer explanation
Section 6.2.2
Key terms
Review these key terms. Do you know them all? Fill in
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1. The leaf is composed of many layers, with the outermost
6.2.1 () layer being the waxy .
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2. Minute openings in the leaf or
permit the of gases in and out of
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the leaf.
mesophyll layers
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Section 6.2.3
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Checklist
Core
State that most leaves have a large surface area and are thin, and explain how these features are adaptations
for photosynthesis.
Identify in diagrams and images the following structures in the leaf of a dicotyledonous plant: chloroplasts,
cuticle, guard cells and stomata, upper and lower epidermis, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, air spaces,
vascular bundles, xylem and phloem.
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