PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY WITH TAXONOMY LABORATORY

Experiment No. 13
External Anatomy Leaves

NAME: ESPINAR, FERNANDO, FIESTA, FIGURACION, GALIT, GALUPO SECTION: BSPH SEC 1
GROUP: 3 DATE: 12/6/24

Introduction:

Leaves are usually attached to stems and serve as the crowning glory of plants. Generally, they
appear green, although some may show different and exciting colors, especially during autumn
in temperate countries. Leaves are the main food factories in plants, since they are the organs
where most of the photosynthetic activities take place. There are some external features unique
among the leaves, such as the veins and veinlets, and an expanded blade.

SIMPLE LEAVES

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this activity, the student should be able to:

1. Describe simple leaves; and

2. Differentiate between a monocot and a dicot leaf based on their external parts.

Specimens:

Guava, gumamela, santol, pandan, bamboo, and sugar cane leaf

Procedure:

Draw one (1) simple dicot leaf and one simple monocot leaf from the samples. Study their
differences and similarities very well.

Results:
Make a labeled drawing of each leaf.
 Monocot Leaf Dicot Leaf

Questions:

1. How does a simple leaf differ from a compound leaf?

While compound leaves have divisions and the smaller portions are referred to as
leaflets, simple leaves have an undivided leaf blade. The axil, the area between the petiole
and the stem, is where the bud of simple leaves is found. Compound leaves, on the other
hand, have the buds in the midrib axil rather than an axil for the leaflets. Simple leaves have
lateral buds at the base of the petiole. On the other hand, compound leaves lack lateral
buds at the base of every leaflet. The key to differentiating the qualities of simple and
compound leaves is their structural differences.

2. What are the differences between a monocot and a dicot leaf?

In contrast to dicotyledonous plants, monocotyledonous leaves are elongated, thin,

and have parallel venation. Because these leaves are isobilateral, their textures and colors
seem to be same on both surfaces. The structure is made up of a distal hyperphyll and a
proximal leaf base, or hypophyll; in monocots, the hypophyll is more noticeable. Veins start
at the base and travel towards the apex of the venation, which is usually parallel and can be
striate, palmate-striate, or pinnate-striate. Because of zonal differentiation in stem
development, the majority of monocots have a single leaf per node, with the leaf base
occupying more than half of the stem circle.

3. How is a typical monocot leaf attached to the stem?

A structure known as a sheath surrounds the stem at the base of a typical monocot
leaf, attaching it to the stem. This sheath permits the leaf blade to spread outward while
supporting and shielding the stem. Depending on the species, the sheath may be loosely
wrapped around the stem or securely. Monocot leaves have no petiole and are joined to the
stem directly by the sheath, in contrast to dicot leaves, which have a distinctive petiole. One
important characteristic that sets monocots apart from dicots is their attachment style.

References:

Pathania, A. (n.d.). Explore the Difference Between Monocot and Dicot leaf. BYJUS.
https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-monocot-and-dicot-leaf/

Sapkota, A. (2021, February 2). Monocot vs Dicot Leaves- Definition, Structure, 13 Differences,
Examples. Microbe Notes. https://microbenotes.com/monocot-and-dicot-leaves/

Simple Vs. Compound Leaves - Important Differences NEET. (n.d.). BYJUS.

https://byjus.com/neet/difference-between-simple-and-compound-leaves/

COMPOUND LEAVES

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this activity. the student should be able to:

1. Describe compound leaves and their parts; and

2. Explain the differences between the different types of compound leaves.

Specimens:

Leaves of malunggay, rose, caballero, sampaloc, suha, bataw, makahiya, five fingers, fern, and
kamıas.

Procedure:

Study the specimens that you have. Be sure to have the different types of compound leaves
Results:

1. Classify your leaf samples and fill out the table below.

Name of Simple or Pinnate or Type of Type of Type of

Specimen Compound Bipinnate Margin Venation Phyllotaxy

Malunggay Bipinnate Entire Reticulate Alternate

(Moringa compound
oleifera)

Rose (Rosa compound Pinnate Serrate Reticulate Alternate

spp.)

Caballero compound Bipinnate Entire Reticulate Opposite

(Delonix
regia)

Sampaloc compound Pinnate Entire Reticulate Alternate

(Tamarindus
indica)

Suha (Citrus simple Pinnate Entire/Crenat Reticulate Alternate

maxima) e

Bataw compound Bipinnate Entire Reticulate Alternate

(Lablab
purpureus)

Makahiya compound Bipinnate Entire Reticulate Alternate

(Mimosa
pudica)

Five Fingers compound Pinnate Coarseley Reticulate Palmate

(Pseudopan toothed
ax arboreus)

Fern compound Pinnate Smoothe/Enti Reticulate/Fu Clumped

(Tracheophy /Bipinnate re lobed/ rcate
ta spp.) toothed

Kamias compound Pinnate Flat/Entire Odd-pinately Alternate

(Averrhoa
bilimbi)
Questions:

1. How would you differentiate the rachis of a compound leaf from a branch?

A compound leaf's and a branch's rachis can be distinguished based on their structure
and purpose. An extension of the petiole, the rachis serves as the compound leaf's central axis,
joining the leaflets. It usually doesn't expand past the leaf structure and stays thin. A branch, on
the other hand, is a portion of the plant's stem that can sustain buds, leaves, and flowers. It can
also increase in size and complexity. While a branch might develop into a woody structure with
multiple growths, the rachis only contains leaflets. Their functions in the general growth of the
plant are where the main distinction can be found.

2. What is the most important characteristic of a leaf by which it can be considered a monocot?

The primary feature that distinguishes a leaf as a monocot is its parallel venation. Veins
in monocots have a linear or strap-like look because they run parallel to one another. On the
other hand, the venation usually produces a branching or reticulate pattern in dicots. In addition
to having a single, extended blade and perhaps without separate petiole, monocot leaves also
have a simpler structure. Parallel venation is the main property that sets monocot leaves apart
from dicot leaves, although other characteristics, such as flower parts in multiples of three, are
diagnostic of monocots.

3. How can you distinguish a leaf from a leaflet?

One can differentiate between a leaf and a leaflet based on their attachment and
structure. One large, flat organ joined to the stem by a petiole is called a leaf. It is usually
characterized by a central vein (midrib) and is the primary location for photosynthesis. A leaflet
is a smaller, separate portion of a compound leaf, on the other hand. Each leaflet lacks a petiole
of its own and is joined to a central axis known as the rachis. A compound leaf is made up of
multiple leaflets that work together to create a single leaf, whereas a single leaf is a single thing.

4. Differentiate a simple leaf from a compound leaf.

The structure of a simple leaf and a compound leaf is different. A petiole connects the
single, undivided blade of a basic leaf to the stem. The leaf blade is one continuous component,
even though it may have different shapes and borders. A compound leaf, on the other hand, is
made up of several leaflets joined to a central axis known as the rachis. Each leaflet can be
joined or split by joints and resembles a tiny leaf. Compound leaves work as a single unit, with
each leaflet contributing to the process of photosynthesis, whereas simple leaves carry out this
activity independently.
References:

Hasa. (2024, April 18). What is the Difference Between Leaf and Leaflet - Pediaa.com.
Pediaa.com. https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-leaf-and-leaflet/

Pinnately Compound Leaf - NEET Biology Notes. (n.d.). BYJUS.

https://byjus.com/neet/pinnately-compound-leaf-notes/

Sapkota, A. (2021, February 2). Monocot vs Dicot Leaves- Definition, Structure, 13 Differences,
Examples. Microbe Notes. https://microbenotes.com/monocot-and-dicot-leaves/

Simple Vs. Compound Leaves - Important Differences NEET. (n.d.). BYJUS.

https://byjus.com/neet/difference-between-simple-and-compound-leaves/