Structure of Dicot Leaf

The diagram of dicot leaf shows the structure as follows:

Epidermis

It is the outermost layer of the dicot leaf.

• It provides protection against water loss and external threats.
• The upper epidermis is transparent and allow light to penetrate.
• The lower epidermis contains small pores called stomata, surrounded by guard cells. It regulates gas exchange and water vapor loss.

Cuticle

The cuticle of a dicot leaf is a thin, waxy layer that covers the dermal tissue of the upper and lower epidermis. 

• The cuticle can vary in thickness and may have multiple layers of wax.
• It protect the leaf and prevent transpiration and helps retain water. 
• The cuticle also protects against mechanical injury and excessive water loss.

Mesophyll Tissues

The mesophyll is a layer of cells that lies below the epidermis of a dicot leaf. It’s the main site of photosynthesis in a plant. The interior of the leaf contains two types of mesophyll tissues: palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma.

• Palisade parenchyma: These cells are elongated and form a layer beneath the upper epidermis. They are densely packed together and have the maximum amount of chloroplasts of any plant cell, making them ideal for photosynthesis.
• Spongy parenchyma: These cells are internal to the lower and spaced widely apart than the palisade mesophyll cells. Because spongy mesophyll is loosely packed, gases can travel more easily through the leaf tissue.

Also Read: Anatomy of Flowering Plants

Vascular Bundles

• Dicot leaves have a network of vascular bundles, including xylem and phloem tissues.
• Xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, while phloem carries the sugars produced during photosynthesis to other parts of the plant.

Veins

• The veins of a dicot leaf are net-like, meaning they form a mesh-like structure that transports food and water.
• They branch out and rejoin, with major veins being thicker than the surrounding tissue. 
• The veins appear as a finely branched network throughout the leaf blade, with thin veins reticulating between the prominent veins.
• Veins in dicot leaves provide structural support.

Stomata and Guard Cells

• Stomata are small pores present in the lower epidermis that allow the exchange of gases with the surrounding environment.
• Guard cells, surrounding each stoma, control the opening and closing of the pore to regulate gas exchange and water loss.

Also Read: Difference Between Xylem And Phloem

Chloroplasts

• In dicot leaves, chloroplasts are located in the palisade mesophyll cells, which are found just below the upper epidermis.
• These chloroplast cells are elongated and tightly packed together, which allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible. 

Also Read: Difference Between Mitochondria and Chloroplast

The Dicot Leaf Diagram shows a dorsiventral structure featuring an upper and lower epidermis. The upper epidermis contains stomata for gas exchange. Beneath it, the palisade mesophyll carries out photosynthesis, while the spongy mesophyll aids in gas exchange.

Vascular bundles, comprising the xylem and phloem, form a circular arrangement in the ground tissue. The petiole connects the leaf to the stem, facilitating nutrient and water transport.

The diagram of the dicot leaf represents a well-organized structure important for efficient photosynthesis and nutrient distribution. In this article, we will study the anatomy of the dicot leaf with a well-labeled diagram.

Given below is a well-labeled diagram of a dicot leaf: