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Large cells in leaf of pondweed
Legend:
1 cell wall
2 chloroplasts
English name: Pondweed
Scientific name: Elodea sp.
Familia: Hydrocharitaceae
Classis: Monocotyledonas
Phylum: Angiospermae
Regnum: Plantae
The leaves of pondweed, a submerged water plant, consist simply of two layers of cells (here only one layer in focus): a layer of small and one of large chloroplast-rich cells. There is no further differentiation in cell types, while specialized cells like guard cells or vascular vessels are absent. The leaves need to be so thin to allow enough diffusion of gas (carbon dioxide and oxygen) involved in photosynthesis.
