Leaf Structure

• Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil and keep plants in the ground.
• Stems transport substances through the plant, support its structure and hold it upright.
• Leaves perform photosynthesis to produce glucose.
• The flower helps a plant to reproduce as it contains its sexual organs.
• The upper epidermal tissue is transparent to allow light through to the palisade layer underneath.
• The waxy cuticle helps reduce water loss by evaporation.
• The palisade mesophyll layer is located near the top to get the most light and has lots of chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
• The spongey mesophyll layer contains big air spaces to allow gases to diffuse in and out.
• The lower epidermal tissue has many stomata for gas exchange. Guard cells stimulate the opening and closing of stomata.
• The xylem is part of the vascular bundle and delivers water from the root, through the stem and to the leaf.
• The phloem is part of the vascular bundle and delivers glucose from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
• Meristem tissue contains stem cells and is located at growing regions of plants.