Layers of a leaf

• where is the epidermal tissue found?

  covers the whole plant
• where is the palisade mesophyll tissue found?

  found underneath the epidermal tissue
• where is the spongy mesophyll tissue found?

  found underneath the palisade mesophyll
• where is xylem found?

  found in the roots , stems and leaves
• where is phloem found?

  found in the roots, stems and leaves
• where is meristematic tissue found?

  found at the tips of shoots and roots
• where are guard cells found?

  they surround the stomata
• features of the epidermal tissue

  covered with a waxy cuticle
• features of a palisade mesophyll tissue

  has lots of chloroplasts (photosynthesis takes place within these structures)
• features of spongy mesophyll tissue

  has lots of air spaces
• features of xylem

  made up of dead cells joined together, creating a continuous tube

  strengthened with a substance called lignin, but this has some holes in it along the tube called bordered pits
• features of phloem

  elongated cells with holes in the cell walls ( the end walls are now called sieve plates).

  many organelles from the cells are removed so cell sap can move through.
• features of meristematic tissue


  it is able to differentiate into different types of plant cells
• features of guard cells


  these surround the stomata
• function of the epidermal tissue

  helps to reduce water loss by evaporation, as the waxy cuticle prevents water from moving out.
• function of the palisade mesophyll tissue

  having many chloroplasts means photosynthesis can happen rapidly, they are positioned at the top of the leaf so they receive lots of light.
• function of the spongy mesophyll tissue

  this allows gases to diffuse in and out of cells.
• function of xylem

  allows the movement of water and mineral ions from the roots to the stem and leaves, where it evaporates and leaves the plant. This is called the transpiration stream.

  lignin makes it strong and waterproof, so water will not leave except at bordered pits, allowing minerals to go to specific places in the plant.
• function of phloem

  food substances can be moved in both directions, from the leaves where they are made for use, or from storage (underground) to parts of the plant that need it.

  this process is called translocation
• function of the meristematic tissue


  this allows the plant to grow
• function of the guard cells


  control the opening and closing of the stomata, depending on water availability.