Why is upper surface of leaf more shiny?

Why is upper surface of leaf more shiny?




 Why is upper surface of leaf more shiny?


  The upper surface of a leaf is more green and shiny. While, the lower surface is comparatively less green and shiny. But why?

  You must be aware that chlorophyll, which helps the plant to prepare food, is responsible for the green color of the leaves.

  But why is the upper surface more green than the lower surface? This is because the upper surface of a leaf is more exposed to the sun as compared to the lower surface.

  Hence, to trap maximum sunlight, there is more chlorophyll on the upper surface as compared to the lower surface. And the shine is due to the process called transpiration.

  Transpiration is the loss of water from leaves, stems, etc. in the form of water vapor. Now, to make sure that the plant does not lose a lot of water, the leaves are covered with a shiny, waxy coating called a cuticle. 

  But being more exposed to the sun, the upper surface will tend to lose more water. Therefore, the upper surface of the leaf is covered with a thicker cuticle as compared to the lower surface. Hence, the upper surface of the leaf is shinier than the lower surface.
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