Question

Are all shapes of leaves the same?

Answer 1

Leaves:

1. They are thin and flat organs & are responsible for photosynthesis in plants.
2. They originate from shoot apical meristems and develop laterally at the nodes.
3. Mainly leaves have two functions- photosynthesis and transpiration.
4. In some plants, leaves play an important role in reproduction.

Types of leaves:

Based on their shape, size, and the arrangements on the stem, there are two types(broadly) of leaves-

1. Simple leaves- When a single leaf blade is connected to the main stem by a petiole (thin, long, stalk that links the leaf blade to the stem).
2. Example- guava leaves.
3. Compound leaves- are made up of two or more leaflets.
4. In such leaves, the midrib of the leaf is branched into different leaflets and is connected by a single petiole.
5. Example- palm leaves, pea, etc.
6. Therefore, all leaves are not of the same shape and come in different shapes & sizes.

Diagram:

Major types of leaves- Simple and Compound leaves