Structure of Leaves
Mainly plants have leaf bases, petioles, and lamina, all these together form the main parts of the Leaves.
- Leaf Base: The part at which the leaf attaches to the stem leaf-like is called as leaf base. It has two leaf-like structure which is called stipules.
- Petiole: It is a thin, long stalk that joins the leaf blade to the stem.
- Lamina: It is the green color flat surface of the leaf which is also known as leaf blade. The surface of the lamina is divided into two which is called midrib. Lamina also consists of small branched veins and veinlets. Veins and veinlets help in the transportation of water and minerals and also provides the rigidity to the lamina. The arrangement of veins and veinlets are known as venation. Mainly it is of two types:
- Reticulate venation: In this type of venation, the arrangement of veinlets are random and forms a complex network. Example- Dicotyledonous plants.
- Parallel venation: In this type of venation, the veinlets are run parallel to one another. Example: Monocotyledonous plants.
Leaves – Morphology, Types & Modification
Leaves are the lateral appendages of the stem. The primary function of Leaves is to make glucose and produce oxygen by using sunlight, CO2 and H2O via the process known as photosynthesis. The structure of the leaf is composed of three parts including leaf base, lamina, and petiole. There are diverse types of Leaves present which depend upon the type of plant species. Chlorophyll is present in leaves which provides a green color and participates in photosynthesis.
Table of Content
- What are Leaves?
- Morphology of Leaves
- Structure of Leaves
- Types of Leaves
- Modification of Leaves
- Functions of Leaves
- What is Phyllotaxy?
- Key Points on Leaves
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