Functions of Leaves

Plant Parts

• Leaves– Provide food

(photosynthesis)– Have chloroplasts

(green coloring-chlorophyll)

– Transpiration (“sweating”)

– Respiration

Photosynthesis

• Leaves collect sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make sugar (food) for the plant– This food is then

transported through the phloem

• The chemical equation for this process is

6 H2O + 6 CO2 C6H12O6 + 6 O2

sugar

Sun en

ergy

Respiration

• Leaves break down sugars to get energy

• This process releases excess water as waste

• The chemical equation is

• C6H12O6 + 6 O2 energy + 6 H2O + 6 CO2

Ener

gy re

leas

ed

To h

elp

plan

t gro

w

sugar

Transpiration

• Taking in CO2 and releasing O2 and H2O as waste products after respiration