Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Leaves come in many shapes and sizes. This video walks through the major internal cell types, including the waxy cuticle, upper epidermis, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, vascular bundle, xylem, phloem, bundle sheath cells, stomata and trichomes. It reviews the structure and function of each component, and connects each back to the process of photosynthesis, including the specialized C4 Pathway.
Photosynthesis Study Guide: etsy.me/2M9R8ak
Chapters:
00:00-00:19 Introduction
00:19-00:32 Reagents and Products of Photosynthesis
00:32-00:44 Types of Leaves
00:44-1:01 Waxy Cuticle
1:02-1:22 Upper Epidermis
1:22-1:47 Palisade Mesophyll/Palisade Parenchyma
1:48-2:11 Spongy Mesophyll/Spongy Parenchyma
2:12-2:33 Vascular Bundle: Xylem
2:33-2:46 Vascular Bundle: Phloem
2:47-3:07 Vascular Bundle: Bundle Sheath Cells
3:08-3:17 Lower Epidermis
3:18-3:49 Stomata & Guard Cells
3:50-4:14 Carbon Fixation in the Calvin Cycle
4:14-4:41 C4 Pathway: Dry Climate Adaptations
4:41-5:27 Trichomes & Terpenes
5:28-5:33 Review Questions
Waxy Cuticle:
Hydrophobic waxy layer that minimizes water loss via transpiration
Upper Epidermis:
Tightly packed translucent cells to minimize water loss via transpiration
Palisade Mesophyll:
Tightly packed column shaped cells, which are the main site of photosynthesis. They contain many chloroplasts.
Spongy Mesophyll:
Loosely packed irregular cells containing a few chloroplasts. The air space in between allows for gas exchange.
Vascular Bundle:
Set of tissues that transport products around the plant
Xylem:
Upward flowing tubes that transport water from the roots to the leaves
Phloem:
Up and down flowing tubes that transport glucose and other products of photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
Bundle sheath cells:
Tightly packed cells surrounding the vascular bundle, which can play a key role in photosynthesis in hot dry environments
Stomata:
These openings allow gas exchange in and out of the leaf. The guard cells open and close in response to the environment.
Trichomes:
Tiny hair-like protrusions on leaf surfaces. These can deter insects, and some contain strong-smelling compounds known as terpenes. Some common terpenes include those found in citrus fruits, pine, lavender and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Avoid plagiarism! Cite BOGObiology! Copy and Paste the Following APA Citation:
[BOGObiology]. (2021, May 11). Leaf Structure and Function. [Video File]. Retrieved from youtu.be/_y-HCi7mJjM
NGSS: HS-LS1-5
Leaves come in many shapes and sizes. This video walks through the major internal cell types, including the waxy cuticle, upper epidermis, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, vascular bundle, xylem, phloem, bundle sheath cells, stomata and trichomes. It reviews the structure and function of each component, and connects each back to the process of photosynthesis, including the specialized C4 Pathway.
Photosynthesis Study Guide: etsy.me/2M9R8ak
Chapters:
00:00-00:19 Introduction
00:19-00:32 Reagents and Products of Photosynthesis
00:32-00:44 Types of Leaves
00:44-1:01 Waxy Cuticle
1:02-1:22 Upper Epidermis
1:22-1:47 Palisade Mesophyll/Palisade Parenchyma
1:48-2:11 Spongy Mesophyll/Spongy Parenchyma
2:12-2:33 Vascular Bundle: Xylem
2:33-2:46 Vascular Bundle: Phloem
2:47-3:07 Vascular Bundle: Bundle Sheath Cells
3:08-3:17 Lower Epidermis
3:18-3:49 Stomata & Guard Cells
3:50-4:14 Carbon Fixation in the Calvin Cycle
4:14-4:41 C4 Pathway: Dry Climate Adaptations
4:41-5:27 Trichomes & Terpenes
5:28-5:33 Review Questions
Waxy Cuticle:
Hydrophobic waxy layer that minimizes water loss via transpiration
Upper Epidermis:
Tightly packed translucent cells to minimize water loss via transpiration
Palisade Mesophyll:
Tightly packed column shaped cells, which are the main site of photosynthesis. They contain many chloroplasts.
Spongy Mesophyll:
Loosely packed irregular cells containing a few chloroplasts. The air space in between allows for gas exchange.
Vascular Bundle:
Set of tissues that transport products around the plant
Xylem:
Upward flowing tubes that transport water from the roots to the leaves
Phloem:
Up and down flowing tubes that transport glucose and other products of photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
Bundle sheath cells:
Tightly packed cells surrounding the vascular bundle, which can play a key role in photosynthesis in hot dry environments
Stomata:
These openings allow gas exchange in and out of the leaf. The guard cells open and close in response to the environment.
Trichomes:
Tiny hair-like protrusions on leaf surfaces. These can deter insects, and some contain strong-smelling compounds known as terpenes. Some common terpenes include those found in citrus fruits, pine, lavender and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Avoid plagiarism! Cite BOGObiology! Copy and Paste the Following APA Citation:
[BOGObiology]. (2021, May 11). Leaf Structure and Function. [Video File]. Retrieved from youtu.be/_y-HCi7mJjM
NGSS: HS-LS1-5
