Concept
Version 8
Created by Boundless
Leaf Structure, Function, and Adaptation
Mesophyll
(a) (top) The central mesophyll is sandwiched between an upper and lower epidermis. The mesophyll has two layers: an upper palisade layer and a lower spongy layer. Stomata on the leaf underside allow gas exchange. A waxy cuticle covers all aerial surfaces of land plants to minimize water loss. (b) (bottom) These leaf layers are clearly visible in the scanning electron micrograph. The numerous small bumps in the palisade parenchyma cells are chloroplasts. The bumps protruding from the lower surface of the leaf are glandular trichomes.
Source
Boundless vets and curates high-quality, openly licensed content from around the Internet. This particular resource used the following sources:
"OpenStax College, Leaves. October 17, 2013."
http://cnx.org/content/m44706/latest/Figure_30_04_06.jpg
OpenStax CNX
CC BY 3.0.