BIOE 80| The Life of Leaves
May 24, 2015 • 9:15 PM UTC
Unknown Location
140x Magnification
Microorganisms
mushittu
Learn about the author...
1posts
0comments
0locations
For my foldscope investigation, I looked to the nature right around my dorm for inspiration. The trees offer incredible material to work with in this regard. This time of year, they shoot out brilliant green leaves, but continually shed them, feeding layers of brittle, dull, and dead leaf under the trees.
Left: A bright, living leaf. Right: A dead leaf
I was curious to know what cellular changes mediate these differences between the two types of leaf. To investigate this, I simply put leaves under my foldscope to compare the visually apparent differences between living and dead leaves on a cellular level.
I was curious to know what cellular changes mediate these differences between the two types of leaf. To investigate this, I simply put leaves under my foldscope to compare the visually apparent differences between living and dead leaves on a cellular level.
The living leaf, under the foldscope Above is the under-foldscope view of the living leaf. What is apparent is a rich green colour throughout the plant tissue. We can also very clearly see the cell walls of the leaf cells themselves. More faint, but still visible, is some degree of organisation within the cells themselves.
Foldscope view of the dead leaf Several differences are apparent on a cellular level in the dead leaf. The green colour is gone, and replaced instead with a golden yellow. The previously clear cell walls are gone, leaving only the midrib and water vessels present. We may also see that the inside of cells are more disorganised.
I think that it’s pretty neat that structures and differences on this level can be seen with a device so cheap and easy to assemble. It’s exciting for conversations about accessibility and experiential educations.
-Muzzammil Imran Muhammad Shittu
I think that it’s pretty neat that structures and differences on this level can be seen with a device so cheap and easy to assemble. It’s exciting for conversations about accessibility and experiential educations.
-Muzzammil Imran Muhammad Shittu
Sign in to commentNobody has commented yet... Share your thoughts with the author and start the discussion!
More Posts from mushittu
No more posts from this author.