Leaf Anatomy in 3D: Stomata, Chloroplasts, Veins and Photosynthesis
A leaf is a plant's food factory, turning sunlight, water and air into sugar and releasing the oxygen we breathe. In the 3D Plant Anatomy simulator you can turn a leaf around, zoom into its tiny parts, slice it open and watch water move through its veins in X-ray.
Explore in 3DFour ways to see the leaf
Whole plant
Cross-section
X-ray water flowLeaf quick facts
| Job | Making food by photosynthesis |
|---|---|
| Needs | Sunlight, water and carbon dioxide |
| Gives off | Oxygen |
| Breathing holes | Stomata, mostly underneath |
| Green colour | Chlorophyll |
Inside the leaf
A slice through a leaf shows a waxy skin on top, a layer of tall cells packed with green chloroplasts, a spongy layer full of air spaces, and a bottom skin dotted with tiny holes called stomata. Veins run through it all, carrying water in and sugar out.
Parts of the leaf
In the Parts up close view you can tap each of these parts to zoom in:
- Stomata
- Tiny mouths on the leaf open to let carbon dioxide in and oxygen and water vapour out.
- Chloroplast
- Inside each green cell, chloroplasts catch sunlight and turn it into sugar.
- Inside the leaf
- Tall cells near the top catch the most light, with looser, airy cells below.
- Vein
- Each vein holds two kinds of tubes: one brings water in, the other carries sugar out.
Interesting facts about the leaf
- Leaves make food from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. This is called photosynthesis.
- They release the oxygen we breathe through tiny holes called stomata.
- Leaves are green because of chlorophyll, which soaks up light.
- In autumn, the green chlorophyll breaks down and yellow and orange colours show through.
- Veins carry water into the leaf and take sugar out to the rest of the plant.
More plants in 3D
Leaf anatomy questions
What is photosynthesis?
The way plants make food. Leaves use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar, giving off oxygen.
What are stomata?
Tiny holes, mostly on the underside of a leaf, that let carbon dioxide in and oxygen and water vapour out.
Why are leaves green?
They are full of chlorophyll, a green substance that captures sunlight.
Why do leaves change colour in autumn?
The green chlorophyll breaks down, revealing yellow and orange colours that were hidden underneath.
The 3D Plant Anatomy simulator is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.