Lab: Leaf Structure

Biology Name _________________________

Learning Goal: What structures allow for the conversion of light energy into chemical energy?

Background: Photosynthesis involves a complex series of chemical reactions in which the product of
one reaction is consumed in the next reaction. A series of chemical reactions linked in this way is
referred to as a biochemical pathway. A leaf is a complex structure composed of a variety of tissues
working together to help the plant survive and convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of
organic compounds, primarily carbohydrates. In this lab, we will explore the structure of leaves to see
how the structure promotes photosynthesis.

Part 1: Prelab: Complete the following section before beginning the lab procedure.

1. Describe the differences between autotrophs and heterotrophs.

2. Explain why both autotrophs and heterotrophs depend on photosynthesis to obtain the energy
they need for life processes.

3. Write out the overall equation for photosynthesis:

______________ + _____________ -----> _________________ + _______________

4. From the readings, label the following cross

section of the leaf.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. —----------
7.
8.

5. From the reading, summarize the function of each part of the leaf.

a. Upper epidermis-
 b. Palisade mesophyll layer-

c. Spongy mesophyll layer-

d. Lower epidermis-

e. Guard cells-

f. Stomata (plural of stoma)-

g. Vein (vascular bundle-include phloem & xylem)-

h. Cuticle-

Part 2: Leaf Microscope Lab

1. Using your microscopes, observe a prepared leaf cross section slide. You should be able to see
all the parts you labeled above. Place a picture of your leaf cross section and label it with the
following terms (cuticle, upper epidermis, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, lower
epidermis).

2. Obtain a specimen of a Tradescantia leaf. Place a flat section of the leaf bottom-side up (purple
side up) on a slide as a dry mount. Locate the stomates on the underside of the leaf — they will
be dots of bright green in the purple field of the leaf. Locate the guard cells — two bright green
bean-shaped cells on either side of the stomate. Take a picture of your leaf and label a clear
diagram of a single stomata with its guard cells on the purple leaf in the space below and
label your diagram.

Post Lab Questions:

3. Plants need three things to perform photosynthesis. Note which leaf structure(s) provides these
components.

a. Light

b. CO2

c. H2O

4. The stomates of the leaf can open and close with the help of guard cells.

a. Explain what important exchange occurs through the stomata.

b. Stomates are closed when the plant is not performing photosynthesis. What time of day would
this be? Explain.

c. Under what other extreme conditions might a plant close its stomates? Why?

5. Plants need water to perform photosynthesis (and for all the other important roles that water plays
in living things). What structure(s) help prevent the loss of water?

6. Why might there be more densely packed cells (palisade mesophyll) at the top of the leaf and less
densely packed cells in the bottom of the leaf (spongy mesophyll)?

7. Describe how the functions of the xylem and phloem specifically relate to photosynthesis.
(Remember, these are the two parts that make up the vein.)

a. Xylem

b. Phloem

8. Plants are autotrophs. Explain what that means.

9. Plants make their own food, but also break down that food for energy.
a. What organelle do plants cells contain that breaks down food for cell energy?

b. What is the name of the “cell energy” produced?

10. Plants make glucose directly through photosynthesis. They can also make lipids through
alternative pathways. Both of these molecules contain ONLY carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.
a. What macromolecule is glucose?

b. From what source does the plant obtain those elements?

● Carbon -

● Hydrogen -

● Oxygen -

11. Plants can also make nucleic acids (DNA) and protein through other pathways. To make nucleic
acids and proteins, they need additional elements.
a. What elements do plants need to make proteins and nucleic acids?

b. What organism makes that element available to the plant? Explain.

c. What additional element do they need to make nucleic acids? (DNA or RNA)

d. From what source is that element obtained?