Question

section review 2.6

1. list the three basic shapes of leaves.
2. define petiole.
3. how can we see gods wisdom in designing plants when we study the arrangement of leaves on a stem?
4. list the three most common leaf arrangements around a plant stem.
5. how can you tell the difference between a simple leaf and a leaflet?
6. list the three major patterns of leaf veins.

Explanation:

1. The three basic leaf shapes are linear (long and narrow), ovate (egg - shaped), and palmate (hand - shaped with lobes radiating from a central point).
2. A petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem.
3. This is a subjective religious - based question. From a scientific perspective, plant leaf arrangements are the result of evolutionary adaptations for light capture, air circulation etc. Some may see these natural, efficient designs as evidence of a higher power's wisdom.
4. The three common leaf arrangements are alternate (one leaf per node along the stem), opposite (two leaves at each node, across from each other), and whorled (three or more leaves at a single node).
5. A simple leaf has a single, undivided blade, while a leaflet is part of a compound leaf, and the compound leaf has multiple leaflets attached to a rachis.
6. The three major leaf - vein patterns are parallel (veins run parallel to each other), pinnate (veins branch off a central mid - rib), and palmate (veins radiate from a single point).

Answer:

1. Linear, ovate, palmate.
2. The stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem.
3. Subjective; from a scientific view, they are evolutionary adaptations, some may see it as evidence of a higher power's wisdom.
4. Alternate, opposite, whorled.
5. Simple leaf has a single undivided blade; leaflet is part of a compound leaf.
6. Parallel, pinnate, palmate.