Get Il Plainfield East High School Photosynthesis Lab 1: Leaf Structure And Function 2017-2024

The main function of the leaf is to absorb light and carry out photosynthesis (manufacture of food).

In leaves, cells in the mesophyll (the tissue between the upper and lower epidermis) are uniquely suited to carry out photosynthesis on a large scale. This is due to their high concentration of chloroplasts, which are the sites of photosynthesis. More chloroplasts means more photosynthetic capability.

In plants, the process of photosynthesis takes place in the mesophyll of the leaves, inside the chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain disc-shaped structures called thylakoids, which contain the pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs certain portions of the visible spectrum and captures energy from sunlight.

Leaves are the main (but not only) organ responsible for turning sunlight into food. The green pigment found in most leaves absorbs sunlight, which is one of the important ingredients in the food-making process. This process is called photosynthesis.

A simple leaf is attached to the plant stem with a stalk or petiole. An example of a simple leaf includes the mango leaf, maple leaf, and hibiscus leaf. The flat surface of a simple leaf helps it to perform photosynthesis which is the process necessary for producing its own food.

They are adapted for photosynthesis by having a large surface area, and contain openings, called stomata. They control gas exchange by opening and closing and are involved in loss of water from leaves. Singular is stoma. to allow carbon dioxide into the leaf and oxygen out.

One of their main jobs is to help the plant to collect sunlight; plants need sunlight in order to make their food or energy through the process of photosynthesis. Leaves also play a part in taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere, which is important for all life on Earth.

The cross-section of a leaf reveals its complex structure. The waxy cuticle surface on the outside protects the leaf and prevents excess water loss. The palisade cells at the upper side are packed with chloroplasts to maximise photosynthesis. On the lower half of the leaf are spongy mesophyll cells.