Name: Bulliform Cells
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 39 s
Description: Comprehend the anatomy of the isobilateral leaf and learn about one of its modified structures, the bulliform cells that help the plant deal with stress-indu...

Question

Give an account of various leaf modification with diagrams and examples.

Accepted Answer

Any change in the form of the leaf or its parts such as petiole, leaf lamina, margin and apex to form some functions other than their normal functions is called modification of the leaf. The leaves of many plants are modified into various structures. These are as follows:

Leaf tendrils: Tendrils are slender, wiry, closely coiled structures that help the plant in climbing these are sensitive to contact with a foreign body. The Terminal leaflet of Pisum and the entire leaf lamina in Lathyrus are transformed into tendrils.

Hooks: In some species of Bignonia, the terminal leaflets become modified into very sharp and curved hooks like the nails of a cat. The leaf spines on the main branches of Asparagus also act as hooks.

Leaf spines: The leaf margin for leaf apices or in their leaf lamina may be modified to pointed structures known as spines. These signs may be small and at the margin as in Argemon, Agave, etc. In Opuntia, ordinary leaves are feebly developed and soon fall off, but the minute leaves of the axillary but are modified into spines. Spines provide protection to the plants.

Scale leaves: It is the characteristic feature of underground modified stem. These are thin, dry, stalkless, membranous structures which protect axillary buds. In onion, these are thick and fleshy to store water and food.

Phyllode: The petiole of the leaf is modified into a green flattened structure called phyllode. It carries on all the functions of a leaf. Example: Acacia

Pitcher : The pitcher is a modification of leaves in certain insectivorous plants. The slender petiole coils like a tendril holding the pitcher vertically up. Its basal portion is flattened like a leaf. The tip of the leaf is modified to a lid that covers the mouth of the pitcher. The function of the pitcher is to capture insects and digests them. Example: Nepenthes

Bladder: Bladders are modified leaves found in certain aquatic plants commonly known as bladderwort. The leaf of the plant is very much segmented. Some of these segments modified to form a bladder-like structure provided with lids. The structure is like that the animalcules can get into the bladder but cannot come out. So it acts as a trap-door entrance. It is a characteristic feature of an insectivorous plant Utricularia.

Give an account of various leaf modification with diagrams and examples.

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