MadSci Network: Botany |
Think of what photosynthesis requires (water, light, carbon dioxide, mineral nutrients) and how the dicot leaf is designed to provide them. For example, the dicot leaf usually has an extensive network of veins (xylem and phloem tissue). The xylem in the leaf veins efficiently supplies all parts of the leaf with water and mineral nutrients. The phloem in the leaf veins provide a way to rapidly transport sugars produced by photosynthesis out of the leaf so they do not inhibit photosynthesis by a buildup of photosynthetic products. Other leaf features would be stomates to allow carbon dioxide into leaf and photosynthesis byproduct oxygen gas to escape, cuticle to prevent water loss and prevent rain from washing away sugars and other soluble compounds out of the leaf, and thin, broad leaf shape to maximize light interception.
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