The Adaptation of Maple Tree Leaves to Environmental Factors

The Variability in Size of Maple Tree Leaves

The leaves of a maple tree vary in size depending on the location of the leaves on the tree. Those growing at the outer region of the tree tend to be smaller than those growing closer to the trunk of the tree. This allows leaves that are growing in the shade to have a larger surface area. This is an example of RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR.

Explanation

Leaves just like other parts of a plant respond to environmental factors in order to adapt well to growth and development of the host tree as well as to contribute to reproductive processes and photosynthesis.

Leaves growing at the outer region of the tree are known as SUN LEAVES and they are found at the top of trees, they are thicker and smaller because they receive enough sunlight and air.

The leaves growing closer to the trunk of trees are known as SHADE LEAVES, they are also found at the bottom of the trees and they tend to be larger in surface area and thinner. They have more chlorophyll because the shade they receive from the sun leaves helps them to maintain/retain their green color pigment.

What is the function of leaves on a plant?

Answer:

Leaves (from the Latin fŏlĭum, fŏlĭi) are the vegetative and usually flat organ of vascular plants, mainly specialized for photosynthesis. The morphology and anatomy of stems and leaves are closely related and together, both organs constitute the stem of the plant. Typical leaves - also called nomophylls - are not the only ones that develop during the life cycle of a plant. Different types of leaves - cotyledons, primordial leaves, prophylls, bracts, and anthophylls in flowers - with very different shapes and functions succeed from germination. A nomophyll usually consists of a flattened blade, a short stem - the petiole - that connects the blade to the stem, and at its base, a pair of appendages - the stipules. The presence or absence of these elements and the extreme diversity of forms of each of them has generated a rich vocabulary to categorize the multiplicity of leaf types that vascular plants present, whose description is called leaf morphology.

Explanation: