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LEAVES

When you have finished this page, try the Leaves Quiz.

The leaf is a part of the plant that is charge of making food for the plant. This food making process is called photosynthesis.

Parts of the leaf

The leaf consists of the following parts:

Petiole - a thin stalk that connects the blad of the leaf to the plant's stem. These veins are called

Blade - a thin, flat part of the leaf that extends off the end of the petiole. It is green as it contains cholorophyll which is necessary in making the plant's food..

The blade contains veins which help bring in the water necessary for photosynthesis and to transport food out to all parts of the plant. The xylem is responsible for water transportation and the phloem for food.

The blade also has several layers. The top layer is covered with a waterproof coat called the cuticle. Both the upper and lower layer contain paired cells called guard cells. These guard cells manage the stomata, little openings in the leaf that allow for the taking in of carbon dioxide and the emission of oxygen during photosynthesis. Water vapor is also emitted in a process called transpiration.

In between the top and bottom layers of the blade are cells that are full of chlorophyll that is essential for the plant to make its food during photosynthesis.

Leaves come in a variety of shapes, sizes, color, and textures. Leaves can be grouped as simple with one blade or compound with many leaflets. The edges of leaves can be smooth, have jagged edges referred to as toothed or scalloped edges referred to as lobed edges. Leaves can also be divided into how their veins are arranged. The leaves of plants referred to as monocots have leaves that run parallel to each other off one central vein. Those that are referred to as dicots have leaves with veins that branch out two different ways.Pinnate have one main vein called the midrib, and smaller branching veins. Palmates have several large veins branching from the leaf base into the blade.

Some leaves have special features such as spines and bud scales to protect them. Some are climbing (tendrils). Others catch insects. Some store water. These are called succulents or store food such as bulb scales.

Leaves contain other substances besides chlorophyll that give the leaf color. These substances are called pigments and cause leaves to turn colors in autumn. These leaves are on deciduous trees and fall off and die. New ones grow back in the spring. Conifers or trees that bear cones can keep their needles for years and grow new ones as soon as they lose them.

Leaves Quiz

Click on the radio button in front of the correct answers to the questions.

1. The parts of the plant that are mainly in charge of making food for the plant are the

roots
flowers
leaves
Correct:leaves

2. A thin stalk that connects the blade of the leaf to the plant's stem is the
petiole
stomata
vein
Correct: petiole

3. A thin, flat part of the leaf that extends off the end of the petiole is the
stomata
blade
vein
Correct:blade

4. The top layer of the leaf that is its waterproof covering is the
xylem
phloem
cuticle
stomata
Correct: cuticle

5. Little opening in the leaf that allows for the taking in of carbon dioxide and the emission of oxygen during photosynthesis are
xylem
phloem
cuticle
stomata
Correct:stomata

6. The releasing of water vapor from the plant into the air is called
tranportation
transpiration
transduction
Correct: transpiration

7. In between the top and bottom layer of the leaf is the green material essential for making food or photosynthesis in the plant
chlorophyll
xylem
phloem stomata
Correct:chlorophyll
8. The substances in leaves that give them different colors in the fall are called
stomata
pigments
veins
Correct:pigments

9. A compound leaf has a number of
leaflets
flowers
stems
Correct: leaflets
10. These types of leaves have one main vein called the midrib, and smaller branching veins
pinnate
palmate
stomate
Correct: pinnate

11. These types of leaves have several large veins branching from the leaf base into the blade.
pinnate
palmate
stomate
Correct:palmate

12. Stomata have these on either side of the stomata to help regulate the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen that flows in and out of them.
guard cells
xylem
phloem
Correct: guard cells