Leaf Structure

Question 1

What 2 cells are found in the upper epidermis of a leaf?

Answer 1

• waxy cuticle - waterproof coating to reduce water loss from the plant
• epidermis cells - do NOT have any chloroplasts to allow maximum light penetration into the leaf

Question 2

What cells are found in the palisade layer of a leaf?

Answer 2

In the palisade layer of leaf the:

• palisade mesophyll cells are found at the top of the leaf in order for them to receive more sunlight
• palisade mesophyll cells are tightly packed with several chloroplasts for maximum absorption and trapping of sunlight

Question 3

What cells are found in the spongy layer of the leaf?

Answer 3

• spongy mesophyll cells - which have air spaces to allow rapid movement of gases (carbon dioxide into cells and oxygen out of cells via diffusion)

Question 4

What cells are found in the lower epidermis?

Answer 4

• in the lower epidermis section of the leaf there are stomata which control the amount of carbon dioxide into the cell and the amount of oxygen out of the cell
• guard cells - control the amount of water loss