Modeling Leaf Lamella Structure

Problem solved: development of a three-dimensional model of the photosynthetic tissues of the leaf.

Solution: Images of the plant photosynthetic apparatus are analyzed to produce data used to calculate the model. SIMAGIS® MesoPlant™ includes the specialized modules to determine parameters of leaves, tissues and cells. Analyzed images are produced by means of optical microscopy.

Modeling process consists of four stages:

1. Composing palisade parenchyma by sequential packing of spherocylinders. Each spherocylinder represents a particular cell of palisade parenchyma. Parameters of spherocylinders match the measured real parameters of palisade cells obtained with specialized SIMAGIS® MesoPlant™ "MICRO" application.
2. Creating the vein as an elongated spherocylinder. Diameter of spherocylinder matches the actual diameter of a leaf vein obtained with specialized SIMAGIS® MesoPlant™ "MESO" application.
3. Composing spongy parenchyma by sequential packing of spheres or convex particles, looking like spheres with outgrowths. Each sphere or convex particle represents a particular cell of spongy parenchyma. Sizes and shape of model particles match the measured real parameters of spongy cells obtained with specialized SIMAGIS® MesoPlant™ "MICRO" application.
4. Calculating the overall parameters like the volume of mesophyll in a leaf, the volume of intercellular air space, the area of the mesophyll free surface, potential mesophyll conductance for CO₂.

The model can be applied to reach the following goals:

• calculation of the overall leaf parameters;
• working out and investigation of the leaf architecture morphological types;
• study of the gas exchange processes in the leaf and relations among structural and functional parameters of plants;
• research of the light absorbance and reflectance by the leaf and estimation of the possible photon pathways within the leaf.