Photosynthesis and Leaf Structure Take out your leaf

Photosynthesis and Leaf Structure

Take out your leaf cross section! § 1. Upper epidermis- protective layer. § 2. Cuticle- waxy surface covering the leaf, protects leaf from damage and water loss. § 3. Palisade mesophyll- closely packed layer of cells that traps light. § 4. Chloroplasts- organelle where photosynthesis occurs. § 5. Xylem- transports water and minerals.

§ 6. Phloem- transports food. § 7. Guard cell- regulates the opening and closing of the stomata. § 8. Stomata- allow for carbon dioxide and oxygen to diffuse in and out of the leaf. § 9. Vein- contains xylem and phloem. § 10. Lower epidermis- protective layer.

§ 11. Spongy mesophyll- loose tissue with many air spaces that allows gases to circulate. § 12. Mesophyll- bulk of the leaf, packed with chloroplasts, carries out nearly all photosynthesis.

Stomates and Guard Cells § Guard cells must regulate the opening and closing of the stomata in balance with rate of photosynthesis and rate of water loss.

Photosynthesis http: //www. brainpop. com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics/photosynthesis/ § Uses the energy from the sun to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high energy glucose. § Plants are autotrophs- they are able to use the light energy from the sun to make their own food.

Photosynthesis Equation § Carbon dioxide+water glucose+oxygen § In addition to water and carbon dioxide, photosynthesis requires light and chlorophyll (pigment in chloroplasts that traps light)