Summary The Internal Components of a Leaf - GCSE-O Level

The Functions of the Internal Components of a Leaf (Land Plants)


Tissue Structure Function
- Waxy Reduces the water lost from
Cuticle
- Transparent the leaf through evaporation.
Allows light to pass through
- Single layer so that the palisade
Upper Epidermis
- Closely packed cells mesophyll can carry out
photosynthesis.
- Long Contains lots of chlorophyll
Palisade Mesophyll
- Cylindrical to carry out photosynthesis.
- Irregular shape
- Large intercellular air Aids in gaseous exchange,
spaces and is covered with a thin
Spongy Mesophyll - Covered with a thin film film of moisture so that
of moisture carbon dioxide can dissolve in
- Contains the vascular it.
bundle
The xylem tissues transport
water and mineral salts from
the roots to other parts of
- Contains xylem and
Vascular Bundle the plant; while the phloem
phloem tissues
tissues transport sucrose
from the leaves to other
parts of the plant.
Allow circulation of carbon
dioxide and oxygen inside the
leaf for photosynthesis and
Intercellular Air Spaces -
respiration, and allows for the
rapid diffusion of gases into
and out of the cells.
- Single layer
- Closely packed cells
Lower Epidermis - Covered by cuticle Allows gaseous exchange.
- Contains stomata and
guard cells