Leaf Anatomy
Which part of the leaf is responsible for capturing light energy?
Leaf Blade
Which part of the plant attaches the leaf to the stem?
Petiole
Describe a leaf modification common in succulents.
a. Presence of spines
b. Conical shape
c. Extra thick cuticle
What is the primary function of most leaves?
Photosynthesis
There are three ways we discussed in class that we can identify a plant based on their leaves. Give me one.
Venation pattern (parallel, palmate, pinnate), type (simple, compound, etc.), and attachment (whorled, opposite, alternate).
What do the stomata in leaves primarily regulate?
Water loss and gas exchange
What is the waxy covering on epidermis that prevents water loss in plants?
Cuticle
Water lily pads often float on top of bodies of water. Where are their stomata located on the leaf?
The top, the exchange of gasses require exposure to air.
In which type of plants are parallel veins typically found?
Monocots
Is a leaf that has pinnate veins a monocot or a dicot?
Dicot
Which type of cells help the stomata open and close?
Guard cells
Which two structures are wrapped within the vein of a leaf?
Xylem and Phloem
These colorful leaves are often mistaken for petals in poinsettias and dogwood.
Bracts
What is the benefit of leaves undergoing abscission?
A leaf that has more than one leaflet that is attached to a stem with a single petiole is known as a ____________ leaf.
Compound
What happens to chlorophyll during autumn?
It starts to break down
Which term refers to the detachment of deciduous leaves in autumn?
Abscission
These modified leaves wrap around structures to support a plant as it grows upward.
Tendrils
Leaves (unlike stems and roots) have a predetermined size at full maturity rather than continued indefinite growth. What term describes this tendency?
Determinate
A leaf that has veins extending outward like fingers from the palm of a hand has a _________________ vein structure
Palmate
These cells are held in the middle of the leaf blade (between the epidermal tissues) and are a primary site of photosynthesis and have air pockets utilized in gas exchange.
Spongy mesophyll
What color do anthocyanin pigments give to leaves?
Red
Which is an example of a plant with leaves modified specifically to store oils and food?
An onion
Why do carnivorous plants “eat” insects if they obtain energy through photosynthesis?
To supplement a nitrogen deficiency
Describe a whorled arrangement of leaves.
Multiple leaves that originate at a single point on the stem and circle around it.