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Nutrition in Humans and Plants
Quick questions on Leaf structure and adaptations explained: O-Level Biology
9short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is waxy cuticle?Show answer
A thin waterproof layer on the upper surface that reduces water loss and lets light through.
What is upper epidermis?Show answer
A single layer of clear cells with no chloroplasts, so light passes straight through to the cells below.
What is palisade mesophyll?Show answer
A layer of tall, column-shaped cells packed with chloroplasts, near the top where light is strongest. This is the main site of photosynthesis.
What is spongy mesophyll?Show answer
Rounded cells with large air spaces between them. The air spaces let carbon dioxide and oxygen diffuse easily to and from the cells.
What is lower epidermis?Show answer
The bottom layer, containing the stomata.
What are veins?Show answer
Contain xylem (brings water to the leaf) and phloem (carries away the glucose made).
What is q1?Show answer
Name the leaf layer where most photosynthesis happens. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how the spongy mesophyll is adapted for gas exchange. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
State the function of a stoma and the guard cells. [2 marks]