Leaf and its function
Leaf: The leaf is a thin, broad, flat and green part of a plant which is attached to the stem (or branch).
A leaf consists mainly of two parts: lamina and petiole. Lamina is commonly known as leaf blade and petiole is commonly known as leaf stalk. The broad, green part of the leaf is called lamina. The thin stalk with which leaf is attached to the stem is called petiole. There is a mid-rib in the centre of lamina. A large number of veins spread out from the mid-rib to all the parts of the leaf.
There are minute pores on the surface of a leaf which are called stomata. Stomata are so small that we cannot see them with naked eyes. The stomata allow the gases to move in and out of the leaf. The leaves of plants contain a green coloured pigment called ‘chlorophyll’. Chlorophyll can absorb energy from sunlight.
The leaves of plants have three main functions:
(i) The leaves make food for the plant by the process of photosynthesis.
(ii) The leaves get rid of excess water from the plant (through transpiration).
(iii) The leaves carry out the process of respiration in plants (which is the production of energy from food).
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