FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

KUALA LUMPUR CAMPUS

Semester:​ ​[ / ] May [ ] September [ ] March (​please “​✓​”)

Academic Year:​ 2019
Course Code & Title: ​AACB 3214 BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY
Programme: ​Diploma in Science (Chemistry and Biology )
Student’s Name (Registration Number):​ Chin Jia Yue (18WLD03979)
Submission Date:

Declaration
I confirm that I have read and shall comply with all the terms and condition of TAR
College’s plagiarism policy.
I declare that this assignment is free from all forms of plagiarism and for all intents and
purposes is my own properly derived work.

Signature(s):_______________________________________

Name(s):_____________________________________

Date: ___________________
Experiment 2
Title: ​Variation in leaf morphology

Introduction:
The term “leaf” usually calls to mind foliage leaves: the large, flat, green structures involved in
photosynthesis. However, natural selection has resulted in numerous types of leaves that are
selectively advantageous because they provide protection (bud scales, spines), supports
(tendrils), storage (fleshy leaves of bulbs), and even nitrogen procurement (trapping and
digesting insects). Because protecting a bud from freezing or drying is very different from
photosynthesizing, leaf structures and metabolisms that are selectively advantageous for a bud
scale are different from those that are selectively advantageous for a foliage leaf. This principle
is true for all types of leaves: For each function, certain modifications are advantageous whereas
others are not. Studying the variation of leaf types, their modifications, and the roles they play in
the plant’s biology leads to an understanding of how structure, metabolism and function are
related.
The most obvious function of leaves is photosynthesis, but other functions often taken for
granted are just as important. Leaves must not lose excessive amounts of water; they must not
allow entry of fungi, bacteria, or epi foliar algae; they must not be so nutritious and delicious to
animals that they are a liability to the plant; they must not be such effective sails that the plant is
blown over in a mild wind. Although one might assume that foliage leaves are maximally
adapted for photosynthesis, these other factors affect leaf structure and metabolism, and must be
considered as well. (James, 2003) Flat and wide leaves enable maximum exposure to sunlight
and carbon dioxide absorption, but these leaves shaded the leaves beneath them. Therefore, most
leaves have a petiole (stalk) that holds the blade out into the light to prevent self shading of leaf
blades by those above them. Besides, flexible petiole also allowed the blade to flutter in wind,
cooling the leaf and bringing fresh air to the leaf surface. In contrast, if the leaves are very small
or very long and narrow, self shading is not a problem, and there may be no petiole. Also, the
small, narrow leaf surface helps trap water molecules and prevent their escape from the plant.
These kind of leaf usually appear on the plants that are growing in places that are extremely hot
or cold so that they can preserve water molecules under such challenging weather conditions. For
example, cactus in desert. (Linda, James, 2003)
Moreover, a leaf blade may be either simple or compound. A simple leaf has a blade of just one
part, whereas a compound leaf has a blade that is divided into several individual parts. A
compound leaf looks like many leaves together but it’s really a leaf made up of smaller leaves
(leaflets). If the leaflets are arranged so that they are attached along the length of a single stalk,
they are called pinnately compound; if the leaflets are arranged in a flower-like arrangement
(whorled) attached to a single stalk, they are called palmately compound. Other than that, leaves
still can be classified based on their leaf edge (margin), venation, leaf texture and so on. (Jane,
Dorothy, Melanie, 2005)
Aims:
1. ​To observe the variation among leaves found in TAR UC campus;
2. To study the function of leaf;

Materials: ​leaves, ruler, double-sided tape

Results:

Characteristi Leaf 1 Leaf 2 Leaf 3 Leaf 4 Leaf 5

c

Leaf type Simple Simple Compound Compound Simple

- palmate - bipinnate

Leaf length Medium Big Small Small Big

Leaf edge Entire Spiny (with Entire Lobed Serrate

(margin) (smooth) sharp stiff (smooth)
points)

Leaf tip Sharped Sharped Sharped Rounded Sharped

Leaf texture Hairy, thin Rough, thick Rough, thin Smooth, thin Hairy, thin

Leaf venation Cross Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Reticulate

venulate

Leaf Alternate Alternate Whorled Alternate Alternate

arrangement

Remark - Red colour - Acicular - Tiny plant - The leaflets - Rhomboid

- Very light shape from a single shaped
(needle-like) petiole
formed a
rhomboid
shape

Discussion:
Leaf 1 is a red, medium simple leaf with entire margin which means there is no teeth at the edge
of the leaf, but it has a sharp tip. The leaf blade is very thin and light, and its surface is covered
by hairs. Its leaf venation is cross venulate, that means there are small veins connecting second
veins and so on. The leaves arranged alternately on its branch. Same goes to Leaf 2, it is also a
simple leaf that arranged alternately, but it is a big leaf and its edge is spiny (with sharp stiff
points). It is a acicular shaped leaf that is long and narrow. Its tip is sharp and the blade is rough
and thick. It has pinnate venation, which is the secondary veins paired oppositely. Leaf 3 is a tiny
palmately compound. Palmately compound is leaf that consists of leaflets all radiating from one
point, which formed a flower-like structure. It is a small leaf with sharp tip and entire margin.
Similar to Leaf 2, the surface of Leaf 3 is rough but its blade is thin, and its veins formed pinnate
shape too.

Besides, Leaf 4 is a bipinnate-ly compound leaf, which is the leaflets also divided into leaflets.
Those small leaflets formed a large rhomboid shaped leaf. The margin of leaflet has an indention
that go less than halfway to the leaf midrib or midline, thus it is lobed leaf. Its tip is round and
the leaf blade are smooth and thin. The veins arranged in pinnate shape and the leaf as well as the
leaflets are arranged alternately. Lastly, Leaf 5 is a large simple leaf with serrated edge. It is
hairy and thin, while its tip is sharp. It has a reticulate venation, where the smaller veins formed a
network pattern. (Paul, 2016) It is rhomboid shape and arranged alternately on its branch.

Conclusion:
​There are many types of leaf from different plants in TAR UC campus. They might vary in size,
shape, margin, colour and texture. The arrangement of veins and also the leaves on branches are
also different. The leaves are modified to adapt to different conditions based on their
requirement. However, they used to carry out the basic function of a leaf, which are
photosynthesis, exchange of gas and transpiration, and also protect the plant from fungi, bacteria,
or epi foliar algae, as well as the animals.

References:
1. Elizabeth A. K​. 2015.​ Flowering Plants. Monocots: Poaceae​. Springer. United States.

2. James D. Mauseth. 2003. ​Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology.​ Jones and Bartlett
Publishers. Sudbury.

3. Jane K​, ​Dorothy B​, ​Melanie P​. 2005. ​Take A Tree Walk​.Stillwater Publishing. Lionville.

4. Linda E. G​., ​James M. ​G. 2003. ​Plant Biology​. Prentice Hall. United States.

5. Paul R.W. 2016. ​Gardeners' Guide To Leaves: A Basic Botany Guide to the Leaf​. Mossy
Feet Books.