Leaf Structure and Function:

External Structure of the Leaf

1. Leaf blade (lamina): is the large broad and
green surface of the leaf. It gives a large
surface for light absorption.
2. Petiole (leaf stalk): attaches the leaf to the
rest of the plant
3. Midrib (main vein): is the main central vein
in the leaf which arises from the petiole.
4. Veins: branch from the midrib which forms
network structure. Veins are vascular bundles
which contains xylem and phloem.
Functions of the leaf veins:
a. Deliver water and salts to the leaf cells.
b. Carry away the photosynthetic products
c. Form network structure that supports the
softer tissues of the leaf blade.
5. Leaf margin: is the edge of the leaf.
6. Leaf apex (tip): is the terminal part
of the leaf.
Internal Structure of the Leaf
o When the leaf is cut in transverse
section (cross-section) and seen
under a microscope, the below
layers of cells is seen:
1. Cuticle:
- Cuticle is found on the upper
surface of the leaf when cut in
transverse section.
- Cuticle is made up of wax which acts as a water proofing for the leaf.
- Cuticle is secreted by cells the cells of the upper epidermis.
- Cuticle helps to reduce water loss and protect from drying out.
2. Epidermis:
- Epidermis is a single layer of cells on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf.
- Epidermal cells are protective layer which contain no chloroplast.
- Epidermal cells produce wax.

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 Functions of the Epidermis:
a. Reduce the chance of the bacteria and
fungi from entering into the leaf
b. Help to keep the leafs shape.
c. Reduce evaporation from the leaf.

Epidermis is divided into two main parts:

1. Upper epidermis and
2. Lower epidermis

3. Mesophyll
Mesophyll is the tissue between upper and lower epidermis of the leaf.
Mesophyll tissue contains:
a. Palisade cells(palisade mesophyll cells) and
b. Spongy cells (spongy mesophyll cells)
4. Vascular bundles:
o Are the leaf veins.
o Contain xylem and phloem.
o Xylem vessels bring water and minerals to the leaf.
o Phloem vessels transport sugars and amino acids away from the leaf
(translocation).
o They also provide support for the leaf.
5. Stomata (Sing.: Stoma):
o Stomata are tiny pores found at the lower epidermis or the underside of a leaf.
o Each stomata is surrounded by a pair of guard cells
o Guard cells control whether the stoma is open or closed.
o The stomata allow exchange of gases between the air and the external tissue of the
leaf; for instance, CO2 diffuses in and O2 diffuses out during photosynthesis.
o Also, water vapour passes out of the stoma pores during transpiration. About 90%
of water evaporation from a plant takes place through the stomata.

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Mechanism of Stoma Opening and Closing:
Opening and closing of the stoma depends upon up take and losses of potassium
ions by the guard cells.
Up take or loss of potassium ions by the guard cells causes whether water move into or
out of the guard cells and this leads the guard cells to become turgid or flaccid.

When guard cells become turgid, the stoma pores open up.
When guard cells become flaccid, stoma pores close.