Why is a leaf important?
Leaves provide food for plants, plants provide the food for all living organisms on Earth. Without plants all other food chains would fail.
Structure of a Leaf
- Every leaf has the same basic structure – a midrib, an edge, veins and a petiole.
- Plants is the source and provide food for all life on the planet.
- The main function of a leaf is to carry out photosynthesis, which provides the plant with the food it needs to survive.
What is Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a vital process that occurs in the leaves of a plant. During photosynthesis, the leaves use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. The glucose acts as a source of food for the plant.
Role of Leaves in Photosynthesis
Leaves have several features that play an important role in photosynthesis:
- A large surface area helps the leaf to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
- Chlorophyll is the green pigment that absorbs sunlight.
- Veins transport water and glucose around the plant.
- A midrib provides strength throughout the leaf, keeping it upright and sturdy in the wind.
- Leaves are thin, minimising the distance for carbon dioxide to travel into leaf cells.
- The petiole attaches the leaf to the plant’s stem.
- Stomata are tiny openings or pores, which allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit the leaf.
