Variegated leaves

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1. Variegated Leaves

2. WHAT IS A LEAF?

3. What is a leaf? It is a flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem directly or via a stalk/petiole. Leaves are the main organs of photosynthesis and transpiration.

4. Parts of a Leaf Tip Midrib Margin Vein Lamina Petiole (or stalk; some leaves does not have a petiole)

5. Parts of a Leaf Tip Margin Midrib Petiole (or stalk; some leaves does not have a petiole) Vein Lamina A B E C F D

6. Chlorophyll and Starch in Leaves Chlorophyll is the green pigment in leaves. Photosynthesis is the process by which light energy is harvested by chlorophyll and used to convert inorganic raw materials - carbon dioxide and water into the products glucose and oxygen. Most photosynthesis takes places in the green parts of plants, in particular the leaves. The glucose molecule is a monosaccharide that through the process of dehydration synthesis can form a larger molecule called a polysaccharide. This polysaccharide, starch, is stored inside the chloroplast until it can be transported.

7. WHAT is variegation?

8. What is variegation? Variegation is the appearance of differently colored zones mostly in the leaves and sometimes the stems of plants.

9. Causes of variegation

10. Causes of Variegation Lack of green pigment chlorophyll caused by cell mutation. Genetically-modified plants that are intended to have variegation. Natural feature of a certain plant species. Virus infections may cause patterning to appear on the leaf surface.

11. types of variegation

12. Chimeric Variegation occurs randomly. Cells of more than one genotype (genetic makeup) are found growing adjacent in the tissues of that plant. A leaf can have both green chloroplasts and white chloroplasts. However, green chloroplasts are more dominant in appearance compared to white chloroplasts. Caused by mutations in plant cells.

13. Genetic Variegation is a natural characteristic of a certain plant species (example: Snake plant). Color patterns will be passed after reproduction to their offspring.

14. Pathological Virus infections may cause patterning to appear on the leaf surface. Patterning is often a characteristic of an infection. Example: mosaic virus , which produce a mosaic-type effect on the leaf surface or the citrus variegation virus (CVV).

15. Additional facts about variegation

16. Additional facts: Variegated plants can revert or turn green for several reasons. It can be a reaction to extremes of hot and cold or a reaction to low-light levels. Some say it could also be caused as a survival technique, as the plant is stronger when it has more chlorophyll (Lambert, 2018). It has been suggested that some patterns of leaf variegation may be part of a defensive "masquerade strategy” (Lev- Yadun , 2014). Variegated plants are taken care of by some gardeners, as the usually lighter-colored variegation can 'lift' what would otherwise be blocks of solid green foliage.

17. Review time!

18. Identify the parts of leaf. Choose from the items below. Lamina Tip Vein Margin Petiole Midrib 1 2 5 3 6 4

19. Answer the following questions on a piece of paper. 7. What is the term used to describe the appearance of differently colored zones mostly in the leaves and sometimes the stems of plants? 8-9. Give two possible causes of variegation. 10. What is the type of variegation that occurs randomly? 11. Name of the virus that produces a mosaic-type effect on leaf surfaces. 12. State an example of a plant that has a variegation under genetic type.

20. answers

21. Identify the parts of leaf. Choose from the items below. Lamina Tip Vein Margin Petiole Midrib 1 2 5 3 6 4

22. Answers to questions 7 to 12: 7. Variegation or Variegated 8-9. Any of these: Lack of green pigment chlorophyll caused by cell mutation. Genetically-modified plants that are intended to have variegation. Natural feature of a certain plant species. Virus infections may cause patterning to appear on the leaf surface. 10. Chimeric 11. Mosaic virus 12. Snake plant