Page 98 - Photosynthesis: The Green Miracle

Adnan Oktar

Reinforcing
Leaf’s central Cuticle
vein cells
Upper epidermis
Grid layer

Mesophyll

Air cavity

Stoma Packet sheath
Xylem
Strengthening Phloem
cells Lower epidermis
Despite their plain external appearance,
leaves contain structures capable of per-
forming a process as complex as photo-
synthesis.

Venous groups: The veins passing through the middle of the leaf
are known as midribs. These and other veins that branch off from them to

cover the leaf surface are made up of venous groups. The xylem is a
woody tissue that performs very important functions inside the leaf, de-
pending on the various duties required by the entire plant. This tissue acts
like the veins in our own bodies, functioning primarily in the transport of
water, ions, and soluble food substances throughout the plant. The dis-
36
tribution of these veins in the plant and leaves is not haphazard. Every
vein in every leaf has a specific design and form. Enabling the leaf to re-

main stiff and upright, these veins comply with specific physical formu-
lae for the functions they undertake.
Phloem (the tube-like part of the vein tissues): These pipes
bring the organic nutrients such as amino acids to the leaf and also carry
the sugared liquid back down the stem of the leaf. Glucose, produced by
photosynthesis, is turned into saccharose (sucrose) which is carried to the
other parts of the plant via the phloem, or else is transformed into starch
and stored. 37

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