Question

Briefly explain the three main functions of a leaf in a plant.

Answer 1

Leaf:

1. A leaf is a flattened, lateral appendage of a stem of a vascular plant that appears to be green in colour.
2. The green colour of a leaf is due to the chlorophyll that is present in them.
3. It consists of a leaf blade, petiole(small stalk that attaches to the leaf with a stem), etc.

The functions of a leaf are as follows:

1. The main role of leaves is to produce food by the process of photosynthesis(preparation of food with the help of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide).
2. They carry out the process of respiration(transportation of gases) in plants.
3. They help in getting rid of excess water from the plant through transpiration(a process that involves the elimination of water vapours).