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IGCSEScienceCambridge (CIE)Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)BiologyRevision Notes6. Plant NutritionPhotosynthesis & Leaf StructureLeaf Adaptations

Leaf Adaptations (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)): Revision Note

Naomi Holyoak

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Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis

  • Leaves are the plant organs that carry out photosynthesis

  • Their structure is adapted to maximise photosynthesis, e.g.

    • They have a large surface area to maximise light absorption

    • They are thin to allow efficient movement of gases between leaf cells and the surrounding air

Leaf structure diagram

How photosynthesising cells obtain carbon dioxide

Leaves are adapted to carry out photosynthesis by being thin; this allows gases to diffuse quickly, e.g. carbon dioxide can diffuse quickly between the surrounding air and the photosynthesising cells of the leaf

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    Naomi Holyoak

    Author: Naomi Holyoak

    Expertise: Biology

    Naomi graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has 8 years of classroom experience teaching Key Stage 3 up to A-Level biology, and is currently a tutor and A-Level examiner. Naomi especially enjoys creating resources that enable students to build a solid understanding of subject content, while also connecting their knowledge with biology’s exciting, real-world applications.