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Effects of sunlight on leaves

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Effects of sunlight on leaves
Madison Allen, Christian Goodyear, Megan Kubac, and Charity Means
Biology 104
Section #
Bill Persons
September 8, 2014 maalle15@cardmail.louisville.edu, cmgood04@cardmail.louisville.edu, mekuba01@cardmail.louisville.edu, camean02@cardmail.louisville.edu

Growth Effects by the Sun on Different Tree Leaves

Definition of Terms
Sun and shade leaves differ in size and shape depending on the amount of sun exposure received. Stomata are the small openings in the epidermis of a plant that allows gases to flow in and out of a plant. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stomata) Stomata open and close to allow the absorption of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into suitable energy. (http://www.yourdictionary.com/photosynthesis) Photosynthesis actually takes place in the stomata where carbon dioxide and oxygen enter and leave the plant. Chlorophyll is the green pigment of leaves and plants that’s in charge of absorbing light for photosynthesis. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chlorophyll) All chlorophyll plants require sunlight, but in very different amounts, which should be considered when coping with sun and shade leaves.

Hypothesis
It is predicted that the leaves at the top of the canopy exposed to the sun will have a larger size, while leaves in shade will have a consistently smaller size.

Materials and Methods
In preparing to determine the effect of sun on leaves two different plant species were chosen at random from a picture binder to be measured. Three sun leaves and three shade leaves of the same plant species were carefully measured using a small metric ruler starting at 1 cm and so on. This was done with two different plant species. Height and width of the leaf was measured, not including the stem of the leaf. After measuring all twelve of the leaves they were recorded into a table to be compared and contrasted.

Results:
After performing this experiment



Cited: Recording variation in ivy leaves. (2011, November 24). Retrieved September 3, 2014. Optional Laboratory: Comparing Sun Leaves To Shade Leaves. (n.d.). Retrieved September 4, 2014.

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