Leaf Anatomy & Morphology

Question 1

What are the main functions of leaves?

Answer 1

1) to manufacture food in the presence of sunlight through the process of photosynthesis
2) to maintain the water balance of the plant body through transpiration

Question 2

What hormone is involved in how leaves are formed?

Answer 2

Auxin

Question 3

What does Auxin do?

Answer 3

• triggers cell division at the shoot apical meristem forming the lateral protrusions called leaf primordium
• location of these divisions is determined by phyllotaxy of the plant

Question 4

What is phyllotaxy?

Answer 4

• leaf arrangement on stem

- derived from Ancient Greek work phyllon meaning leaf, and taxis meaning arrangement