The Leaf as

an organ
The leaf as an
organ
• Leaves are made from several
tissues that work together for
the purpose of
photosynthesis.
• Not only are leaves well
structured for absorbing light
for the process of
photosynthesis, but they also
have efficient gaseous
exchange and transport
systems to get enough of the
substrates and to remove the
products of photosynthesis.
The functions of leaves
• The main function of leaves is to ensure
that the plant can photosynthesise.
• Other functions are:
• To increase the surface area for food
production
• To provide a large surface area for
transpiration and gaseous exchange to
occur.
The internal structure of a dicotyledonous leaf
 The structure of a
leaf
• The leaf is divided into three
main sections:
• Epidermis (upper and
lower)
• Mesophyll
• Vascular bundles/veins
 Epidermis
• The upper and lower surfaces of the leaf are covered by an epidermal
layer.
• The epidermis protects the underlying tissues.
• Regular epidermal cells do not contain chloroplasts and are transparent in
order for light through to the underlying tissues for photosynthesis.
• A waxy, transparent cuticle covers the epidermis, reducing excessive
moisture loss while still allowing sunlight through for photosynthesis.
• The lower epidermal cells contain stomata. Stomata are responsible for
gaseous exchange into and out of the leaf during:
• Photosynthesis
• Respiration
• Transpiration
 There are two types of mesophyll cells:
Palisade Spongy
mesophyll mesophyll

Mesophyll

These cells fill the space between the

upper and lower epidermis.
 Palisade mesophyll
• These are elongated, thin-walled parenchyma
cells situated just under the epidermis.
• The cells contain a large number of chloroplasts
to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight.
• They are arranged longitudinally and tightly
packed, without intercellular air spaces. This
ensures the largest possible surface area for
photosynthesis.
• The cell walls are thin for the easy diffusion of
gases (O2 and CO2) into and out of the cells.
Spongy mesophyll
• This is the lower mesophyll layer.
• These cells are round parenchyma
cells.
• They are loosely packed in an
irregular manner.
• They contain large intercellular air
spaces that are connected to air
chambers behind the stomata for
gaseous exchange.
• These cells contain chloroplasts for
photosynthesis, but fewer than the
palisade mesophyll cells.
 Vascular bundles/veins
• The vein consists of xylem and phloem.
• It is continuous with the xylem and
phloem from the roots and stem.
• Water that is absorbed from the soil is
transported via the root and stem xylem
to the leaf xylem by means of osmosis
until it reaches the mesophyll cells.
• The water is used for photosynthesis.
• The phloem transports organic nutrients,
which are made in the leaf during
photosynthesis, to other parts of the
plant.