leaf structure

Question 1

leaf adaptations

Answer 1

large surface area- exposing more area to sunlight, and easier absorption of materials

thin - allows carbon dioxide to diffuse quickly to the photosynthetic cells

Question 2

cuticle - function + adaptation

Answer 2

function: stops water from evaporating from the leaf
adaptation: waxy layer

Question 3

chloroplast - function + adaptation

Answer 3

function: the site of photosynthesis
adaptation: contains chlorophyll to absorb light, and enzymes and structures needed for photosynthesis

Question 4

upper epidermis - function + adaptation

Answer 4

function: protects the inner cells
adaptation: thin layer without chloroplasts, which lets light pass through for photosynthesis

Question 5

palisade mesophyll layer -function + adaptation

Answer 5

function: tissue in which photosynthesis happens
adaptation: box-shaped cells that pack closely together;each cell has lots of chloroplastspushed to the edges of the cell by a large vacuole so they can absorb more light

Question 6

xylem-function + adaptation

Answer 6

function: carries water and mineral ions from the roots to the leaf
adaptation: made from dead cells, forming hollow, waterproof tubes,through which water passes

Question 7

phloem - function + adaptation

Answer 7

function: carries sucrose away from the leaf
adaptation: consists of sieve tubes (through which the sucrose is transported) and companion cells (that provide energy for the transport)

Question 8

vascular bundle function

Answer 8

contains the xylem and phloem tissues

Question 9

lower epidermis function and adaptation

Answer 9

function: protects the inner cells
adaptation: thin layer that (apart from guard cells) does not contain chloroplasts, which lets light pass through for photosynthesis

Question 10

guard cell function and adaptation

Answer 10

function: work in pairs to control the size of the opening of a stoma
adaptation: entry and loss of water from the guard cells (due to osmosis) results in changes in their shape; this in turn leads to the opening and closing of the stoma

Question 11

stomata function and adaptation

Answer 11

function: controls the diffusion of water vapour and gases in and out of the leaf
adaptation: the size of the opening changes in response to the internal and external environments of the plant

Question 12

air spaces function

Answer 12

allow diffusion of gases throughout the leaf

Question 13

spongy mesophyll function and adaptation

Answer 13

function: site of gas exchange
adaptation: cells are loosely spaced, creating air spaces to allow diffusion of gases throughout the leaf