Plants

sunlight

carbon dioxide

oxygen

suitable temperature

chlorophyll

stalk

lamina

vein

petiole

broad to provide large surface area for maximal absorption of light

holds leaf in position for maximal absorption of light

thin to allow light to reach all mesophyll cells

thin to provide short diffusion distance for gases to reach all mesophyll cells

epidermal cells

palisade mesophyll cells

spongy mesophyll cells

guard cells

phloem cells

1

2

3

4

Waxy cuticle: allow maximum refraction and absorption of light.

Air spaces in the leaf: rapid diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen into and out of mesophyll cells.

Stomata: allows entry of water for photosynthesis

Waxy cuticle: provides large surface area for maximal absorption of light

stomata > intercellular air spaces > mesophyll cells

mesophyll cells > intercellular air spaces > stomata

intercellular air spaces > mesophyll cells > stomata

stomata > mesophyll cells > intercellular air spaces

daylight: absorbs

darkness: absorbs

daylight: absorbs

darkness: releases

daylight: releases

darkness: absorbs

daylight: releases

darkness: releases

Carbon dioxide and water enters the roots and move through the xylem to each leaf.

Carbon dioxide and water enter a leaf through stomata and diffuse into leaf cells.

Carbon dioxide enters a leaf through stomata and water enters a leaf from the xylem.

Carbon dioxide enters a leaf through stomata and water enters a leaf from the phloem.

used for respiration

forms cellulose cell wall

stored as glycogen

stored as starch

converted to sucrose and transported to other parts of the plant via phloem.