MYP5 Biology: Leaves and Photosynthesis

• What adaptations do leaves

have for photosynthesis?
 Plant cell
cell wall
cell membrane
cytoplasm
nucleus

vacuole

chloroplast
 Name the structure…
Function Structure
Controls what goes in and out of the
cell. cell membrane
Contains the genetic material.
nucleus
Surrounds the cell and gives support.
cell wall
Contains chlorophyll and absorbs
sunlight.
chloroplasts
Contains cell sap and gives support.
Where all the chemical reactions vacuole
happen.
cytoplasm
Chloroplasts absorb sunlight
External: How leaves are adapted for efficient
photosynthesis

Side vein

Apex

Mid-rib vein

Leaf stalk Leaf blade

(petiole) (lamina)
Leaf adaptations- brainstorm in notebook
Feature of leaves How it aids photosynthesis
Broad, flat leaves
Stomata
Veins
Chloroplasts

Waxy layer

Thin
How leaves are suited to photosynthesis

• Leaves are broad and flat, giving

large surface area to absorb as much
light as possible.
 They have ‘holes’ in the leaves to allow
carbon dioxide in and oxygen out. These are
STOMATA.

Stoma

Guard cells
There are veins in the leaves to transport
water and sugar around.
Many of the cells are packed with chloroplasts which contain
a light trapping pigment- chlorophyll. Refer to notebook
There is a waxy layer on top to stop water
being lost from the leaf.
 Thin leaves provide a short diffusion
distance for carbon dioxide to reach the
palisade and mesophyll cells
How structure of the leaf is adapted for efficient
photosynthesis
• Epidermis is transparent;
• Palisade layer at the top
containing most of the
chloroplasts;
• Air spaces in the spongy
mesophyll allow diffusion
between stomata and
photosynthesising cells;
• Internal surface area / volume
ratio very large.
 Leaf cross section
• In pairs examine a slide of
 Please review the structure of the
leaf and the function of the
cells/tissues that make up each layer:
Refer to Q16 in your booklet. Make sure you
have completed the table on pgs.10-12 and
it is important you review using the booklet
answer key.
Use microscopes to observe internal
structure of leaves
 Plenary
• Use what you now know about leaves and
photosynthesis to design an ‘ideal leaf’ that will
maximise photosynthesis

• Draw and label your leaf to explain how it is adapted

to be more efficient- refer to notes in notebook.

(You may want to include the external environment it

would be found in e.g. A desert or rainforest)