Waxy Cuticle is a waxy protective outer layer that prevents water loss
Otherwise water would be evaporated from the top of the leaf and could become a limiting factor to photosynthesis, meaning that there could not be enough water for maximum rate of photosynthesis to occur.

Epidermis is an almost transparent layer of cells that protect the interior tissues. These cells do not contain chloroplasts.

Palisade Cells are tightly packed cells that are the main site of photosynthesis. Cells contain a high number of chloroplasts.
Tightly packed so that it is hard for rays of sunlight to escape through them - they can capture maximum amount of sunlight for photosynthesis.

Spongy Mesophyll is loosely arranged cells that facilitate the movement of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour. Contain only a few chloroplasts.
Contains a few chloroplasts in case any rays of sunlight manage to slip through the palisade cells. Loosely arranged so that gases have a path to diffuse quickly through. Will diffuse 10,000x faster through gas than through water.

Vascular Tissue commonly known as leaf veins. Contains xylem and phloem tissues for the transport of water from the roots and glucose away from the leaf.

Stomata are pore-like openings on the bottom of the leaf that allow gases to diffuse into the leaf.
Allows the absorption and excretion of gases for photosynthesis.

Guard Cells are located either side of the stomata and are able to open and close it.
Allows the absorption and excretion of gases for photosynthesis when needed.

	Created by mckenziedev about 11 years ago

1 Biology (AS90928 The Life Cycle Of Flowering Plants) Note on Plant Structure and Photosynthesis, created by mckenziedev on 07/09/2013.