| Adaptation | Function |
|---|---|
| Waxy cuticle on upper and lower epidermis | Reduce water loss through evaporation from the leaves. Transparent so that light can still pass through and enter the leaf |
| Stomata present in Epidermal Layers | Stomata open in presence of light ⇒ allow to diffuse into the leaf and to diffuse out of the cell. |
| Chlroplasts containing chlorophyll in all mesophyll cells | Chlorophyll absorbs energy from light → transfers it to chemical stores of energy in glucose molecules |
| More chloroplasts in upper palisade tissue | More light ENERGY → can be trapped near the upper leaf surface |
| Palisade mesophyll has 1-2 layers of closely packed, long and cylindrical cells | ⇒ more cells can be contained per unit area |
| Interconnecting system of air spaces in the spongy mesophyll (intercellular air spaces) | Air spaces ⇒ allow rapid diffusion of and into and out of the mesophyll cells. |
| Veins containing xylem and phloem situated close to the mesophyll cells | Xylem transports water and mineral salts ⇒ to mesophyll cells ⇒ Phloem transports sucrose away. |