Scanning electron micrograph,tinted green,of a leaf skeleton of the common ivy,Hedera helix. The skeleton is left after the soft tissue (mesophyll) has rotted away,& consists of the vascular tissue (veins) of the plant: the xylem,which carries water & minerals from the roots,& the phloem,which takes sugar from the leaves to the rest of the plant. The xylem cells are impregnated with lignin,a polymer resistant to decay & hence surv- iving to form the skeleton. In dicotyledonous plants (with two seed- leaves) the vascular system is a network of increasingly small veins,as here. Magnification: X 4 (35mm). Original is BW print B745/032 | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Taille de l’image : | 3571 px × 5273 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |