Lesson 3 of 6
Leaves built for the job
Goal: Explain how leaves are adapted for photosynthesis.
A leaf is adapted for photosynthesis. Its features help it to catch light and to exchange gases with the air.
- Broad and flat. A large surface area catches a lot of light.
- Green. The cells hold chlorophyll, which absorbs the light.
- Thin, with pores. Carbon dioxide gets in through tiny pores called stomata. It has only a short way to go to reach every cell. Oxygen leaves the same way.
- Veins and a waxy top. Veins bring water. The waxy layer stops the leaf losing too much water.
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Key words in this lesson
Photosynthesis How plants and algae make glucose, using energy from light
Chlorophyll The green substance that absorbs light
Carbon dioxide The gas a plant takes in for photosynthesis
Oxygen The gas given out in photosynthesis
Stomata Tiny pores in a leaf that let gases in and out