B4 - Transport Flashcards
What is the structure and function of the upper epidermis in a leaf?
The upper epidermis is one cell thick and covers the leaf like a skin.
What is the role of the cuticle in plant leaves?
The cuticle is a waxy layer that protects the leaf against disease organisms and prevents water loss by evaporation.
What shape do palisade cells have and why is this important?
Palisade cells have a cylindrical shape, which helps light to penetrate into the leaf.
Where is chlorophyll contained in leaf cells?
Chlorophyll is contained in chloroplasts.
Why do palisade cells have more chloroplasts than other leaf cells?
Palisade cells have more chloroplasts because they are located where light intensity is greatest.
What unique ability do chloroplasts have within palisade cells?
Chloroplasts can move within the cell to regions where the light intensity is greatest.
Describe the structure of the spongy mesophyll layer in leaves.
The spongy mesophyll layer consists of irregularly shaped cells with large air spaces between them.
How do the chloroplasts in spongy mesophyll cells compare to those in palisade cells?
Spongy mesophyll cells have fewer chloroplasts than palisade cells.
What is the function of stomata in the lower epidermis of leaves?
Stomata allow gases and water vapour to diffuse in and out of the leaf.
What is the structure of a stoma?
Each stoma is made up of a pair of guard cells.
Fill in the blank: The cuticle is _______ and helps prevent water loss by evaporation.
waterproof
True or False: The lower epidermis is thicker than the upper epidermis.
False
