MadSci Network: Botany
Query:

Re: How is a dicotyledonous leaf adapted to carry out photosynthesis eficiently

Date: Thu Jun 8 20:21:50 2000
Posted By: David Hershey, Faculty, Botany, NA
Area of science: Botany
ID: 958899496.Bt
Message:

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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