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## Leaf structure | Structure | Description | |---|---| | wax cuticle | protective layer on leaf's surface, prevents water from evaporating | | upper epidermis | thin/transparent to allow light to enter | | palisade mesophyll | palisade meso, layer underneath it; column shaped cells righty packed w...

## Leaf structure | Structure | Description | |---|---| | wax cuticle | protective layer on leaf's surface, prevents water from evaporating | | upper epidermis | thin/transparent to allow light to enter | | palisade mesophyll | palisade meso, layer underneath it; column shaped cells righty packed with chloroplasts to absorb more light, maximising photosynthesis | | spongy mesophyll | contains internal air spaces that increases the surface area to volume ratio for diffusion of gases (mainly CO2) | | lower epidermis | contains guard cells and stomata | | guard cell | absorbs and loses water to open and close the stomata to allow CO₂ to diffuse in, O₂ to diffuse out | | stomata | where gas exchange takes place; opens during the day / closes at night; water evaporation also takes place here | | xylem | found in much greater concentration on the leaf's underside in most plants to reduce water loss | | | transports water into the leaf for mesophyll cells to use in photosynthesis and for transpiration from stomata |