Leaf gyattscure

• • Cuticle: the waxy layer that prevents water loss from the top of the leaf
• • Upper/Lower Epidermis: transparent cell that allows sunlight to pass through to the palisade cell
• • Palisade mesophyll: is found at the top of the cell and contains many chloroplasts that absorb sunlight.
• Spongy Mesophyll: contains air spaces which allow gases (carbon dioxide) to diffuse into the cells, where photosynthesis takes place.
• Xylem: transport water and minerals upwards from roots to leaves.
• Vascular bundles: contain xylem and phloem tissue, transporting water and nutrients around the plant.
• Phloem: transport sugars downward from leaves to other parts of plant.
• • Stomata: little holes that open and close to allow the gaseous exchange to occur. The stomata are close to prevent water loss and open to letting gases in and out. When guard cells lose water, the stoma closes (at night), while the stoma opens when guard cells gain water & swell (during the day).
  • Guard Cells: control the opening and closing of stomata
• • Converted into starch molecules which act

  as an effective energy store

  • Converted into cellulose to build cell walls

  • Glucose can be used in respiration to

  provide energy

  • Converted to sucrose for transport in the

  phloem

  • As nectar to attract insects for pollination
• •Plants can also convert the carbohydrates

  made into lipids for an energy source in seeds and

  into amino acids (used to make proteins) when

  combined with nitrogen and other mineral ions

  absorbed by roots