waterleaf veinsstomatachloroplaststromagranumcarbon dioxidespongy cellsepidermisLeaf Structure & Photosynthesis© Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4778Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources.Where does Photosynthesis Occur?Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the plant leaves. The entire process takes place in an organelle called the chloroplast. Inside each chloroplast there are green pigment molecules called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the Sun. This pigment also gives plants their green color. Leaf Stomata and CO2Carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis enters the leaf through tiny pores called stomata (singular stoma) found on the underside of the leaf. Each stoma is made up of a pair of cells called guard cells. These cells change size in response to the environment, causing the pore to open or close. The pore is usually open during the daylight, when photosynthesis occurs, and closed at night to prevent water loss. guard cellsporeopenporeclosedguard cellschloroplastvacuoleThe water needed for photosynthesis travels to the leaves through the plant’s vascular system. Leaf veins deliver the water to the chloroplasts. stomawaterleaf veinssttoooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaachloroplastaststromagranumcarbon dioxidespongy cellsepidermisPhotosynthesis primarily occurs in the plant leaves. The entire process takes place in an organelle called the chloroplast. Inside each chloroplast there are green pigment molecules called chlorophyll. Chlorophyllabsorbs light energy from the Sun. This pigment also gives plants their green color. Carbon dioxxxxxiiiiiiiiiiiiiddddddddddddddddde nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddddddd ffffffffor phhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooottttttttttttttoooosyyyyyyyyyyynnnnnnnnnnnnnnntttttttttthhesis enttttteeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssssss ttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeee lllllllllllllleaf through tiny pores called stomata (singular stoma) founnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddddd oooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnn tttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeee uuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddddddeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrssssssssssssssiiiiiiiiiiiddddddde offffffffffff ttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeee lleeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaafffffffffffffffff...... EEEEEEEEEEEEEaaaaaaaaaccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhh sssssssssssssttttttttttttooooooooomaaaaaaaaaaaaa is made up of a pair oooooooooooooofffffffffffffff cccccccccceelllllllllllllllllllllllls caaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllled guard cells. These celllsss ccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnge size in response to the eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnvvvvvvvvvviroooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmment, causing the pore tooooooooooooooppppppppppppppppeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn or close. TTThe ppppppppppppppoooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrree is usually open during ttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeee dddddddddddddddaylight, when photosynthesis oooooooooccccccccccccccccccccccccccccuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrs, and closed at night to preventwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeer loss. guard ceeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllsssssssssssssssssssssporeeeeopeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnporeclosedguard cellschloroplastvacuoleThe water needed for photosynthhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss travels to the leaves through the plant’s vascular system. Leaf veinssssssss deliver the water to the cccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhllllllllllllloooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrroooooooooopppppppplllllllllasts. ssssssssssssstttttttttttttooooommmmmmmmmmma
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