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Leaf tissues and their functions

Organisation • Plant tissues, organs and systems

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Epidermal tissue is a single outer cell layer covering the leaf surfaces.
  • Cells are flat and often transparent, equipped with a thin cuticle.
  • Transparency allows light to reach the palisade mesophyll, enhancing efficient photosynthesis.
  • The cuticle minimizes water loss by evaporation; a thinner cuticle on the underside supports gas exchange through stomata.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

Which leaf tissue contains the highest concentration of chloroplasts?

Click to reveal answer

Palisade mesophyll contains the highest concentration of chloroplasts.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Epidermis is transparent and covered by a cuticle to limit water loss while allowing light through.

Palisade cells are tall, densely packed, and rich in chloroplasts; they form the main photosynthetic layer.

Spongy mesophyll air spaces shorten diffusion pathways for carbon dioxide and oxygen, increasing exchange speed.

Guard cell turgor controls stomatal aperture by osmosis; opening increases carbon dioxide uptake but raises water loss.

Xylem vessels are dead, lignified tubes that resist tension and maintain an unbroken water column.

Phloem is living tissue with sieve plates and companion cells enabling active sugar transport.

Transpiration rate increases with temperature, wind, and light; it decreases with higher humidity.

Limiting factors for photosynthesis include light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and chlorophyll availability.

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