What do Leaves do?

How will you teach kids the functions of leaves? It is better to introduce new concepts to kids through interesting activities to help them understand the information they are learning quickly. You can conduct science experiments for kids to teach the importance of leaves and their role in plant growth. Leaves are one of the essential parts of the plant. They are green in color due to the presence of chlorophyll, which takes light from the sun to prepare food for the plants through photosynthesis. What do leaves do? You can teach kids what they do for the plants by conducting a small experiment.

Contents

Before teaching kids the functions of leaves in photosynthesis, you can explain to them the structure of leaves. This will help them gain knowledge about the morphological and anatomical features of leaves. The leaves have a flattened structure attached to the stalk of the stem. Kids must know that there are two kinds of leaves, one is simple, and the other is compound. The former consists of a single leaf blade, and the latter split the leaf blades into multiple leaflets. What do leaves do? You can conduct an experiment for kids to teach them what leaves do and the factors responsible for plant growth. Besides, you can conduct science games for kids, to encourage them to explore science concepts at an early age. 

Easy Science Projects: What do Leaves do?

What is the main function of the leaves? It produces food for the plants by the process of photosynthesis. The substance called chlorophyll helps leaves absorb light from the sun. What do leaves do? You can practically demonstrate the phenomenon by conducting a small experiment for kids. This will help them learn how leaves contribute to plant growth. You can take leaves and other materials required for carrying out the experiment at home or in the classroom as mentioned in this article. 

What do Leaves do?

Aim of the Project 

The aim of the project is to see what leaves do when you provide an adequate amount of water, sunlight and air to the leaves. 

Material Required

  • Take two potted plants with big leaves 
  • Plastic covers 
  • Threads 
  • A note pad 
  • A pencil
  • A marker

Procedure 

  • Take two potted plants and label them as A and B using a marker. 
  • Take the potted plant marked as A and wrap its leaves with plastic covers. Take a picture of the leaves before wrapping the plastic cover. 
  • Tie the plastic covers towards the stalk of the leaves with the threads. 
  • Keep the potted plants exposed to sunlight for six days. 
  • Take another potted plant marked as B. 
  • Keep the potted plant under the sunlight for six days. 
  • Take a picture of the leaves before keeping them under the sunlight.
  • Do not pour water for six days. 
  • Observe and record the changes in both the potted plants after six days.

Result

In this experiment, the leaves of potted plant A covered with plastic covers lose their green color and die due to lack of adequate sunlight. Similarly, the leaves of the potted plant B die due to a lack of water. Therefore, it is important for leaves to breathe and function properly by having adequate amounts of sunlight, air and water. When you provide an adequate amount of sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to the leaves, it produces food for the plant. The leaves take light from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the roots during the photosynthesis process. It inhales carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen to the environment. 

Benefits of Learning What do Leaves do?

The benefits of learning the functions of leaves for kids are mentioned below. 

  • It helps children learn about leaves and their functions by performing experiments. 
  • It enables children to understand how leaves prepare food for plants through photosynthesis. 
  • It increases children’s academic performance in science and other related subjects. 
  • It helps children learn about the structure of leaves while performing experiments. 
  • It increases observational, analytical and practical learning skills in children. 
  • It helps children learn about the major role of leaves in transpiration, guttation, defense and storage. 
  • It increases children’s awareness of protecting plants and providing adequate nutrients for their growth and development. 

To know more information, explore science games for kids, STEM activities for kids in the kids learning section at Osmo.

Frequently Asked Questions on What do Leaves do?

What do leaves do?

The leaves produce food for the plants by the process of photosynthesis. Besides this, the leaves can remove the excess water content through transpiration. It needs sufficient sunlight, air and water for its growth and development.

What are the benefits of learning what leaves do?

The benefits of learning about leaves are that it helps kids understand the structure and functions of leaves. Kids can understand the factors contributing to the growth of the leaves, such as the sunlight, water and air by performing the experiment mentioned in this article.