Leaves
A leaf is one of the many organs of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants. Typically, a leaf is a thin, flattened organ, produced above ground and specifically designed for photosyntheis, but many types of leaves are adapted in ways almost unrecognizable in those terms. |
Function of a Leaf
Leaves are the special features of plants. In most plants, leaves are the major site of food production for the plant. Structures within a leaf change the energy in sunlight into chemical energy that the plant can use as food. Chlorophyll is the particle in leaves that uses the energy in sunlight to turn water (H2O) and carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into sugar and oxygen gas (O2). This process is called photosynthesis. |
Leaf Margins
Leafs come in many sizes, shapes and colours; they are often used to identify plants. Some leaves are flat and wide, others are spiky and thin. Plant spines (like Cactus spines) are actually modified plants.
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