What Do Leaves Do

Key Notes :

Leaves Make Food for Plants

• Leaves are known as the “kitchen of the plant” because they make food through photosynthesis.
• They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce food (sugar) and oxygen.

Parts of a Leaf

• Blade: The flat, green part of the leaf.
• Veins: Tiny tubes that carry water and nutrients through the leaf.
• Petiole: The small stem that connects the leaf to the branch.

Breathing in Leaves

• Leaves have tiny openings called stomata that help them breathe.
• Stomata allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to leave.

Leaves Help Plants Grow

• The food made by leaves is used by the plant to grow and stay healthy.
• The sugar made in leaves is stored in fruits, stems, and roots.

Leaves Keep Plants Cool

• Leaves release extra water as vapor through transpiration, which helps cool the plant.

Shapes and Sizes of Leaves

• Leaves come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.
• The shape of a leaf can help it survive in its environment (e.g., large leaves for shade, small leaves to reduce water loss).

Why Leaves Are Green

• Leaves are green because of a substance called chlorophyll, which helps capture sunlight for photosynthesis.

Falling Leaves

• In some plants, leaves fall off during certain seasons (like autumn) to conserve energy.

Other Roles of Leaves

• Provide shade and shelter for animals.
• Some leaves, like spinach and lettuce, are eaten as food by humans.

Fun Fact

• Leaves can also store water in some plants, like cacti, or become thorns for protection.

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