why are plant leaves serrated?

Question

What purpose does the serration provide? How is this an evolutionary advantage?

Answer 1

Wow -- deep science in the article that produced this quote, but here it is!

"Lobes and serration reduce effective leaf dimension, and so reduce average BL thickness compared to a non-lobed leaf of similar area. Models have shown that lobed leaves are much more efficient at shedding heat in calm conditions (Vogel 1970). Regular shaped leaves also tend to display differing boundary layer thickness depending on their orientation relative to wind velocity. In lobed leaves these orientation effects are considerably lessened (Schuepp 1993). The ability of leaves to shed heat more effectively has only an indirect effect on CO2 capture. It may be that leaf shape and size have evolved largely in response to selection for maintaining leaf energy balance within metabolic limits."

The link to the article is below, but *BEWARE* -- heavy, heavy science, numbers, formula, etc.!!

Fun search, though -- thanks for the question!

Answer 2

Plant leaves may be serrated, there are some that are not. If they are all serrated, I didnt know that. If they all are serrated that is probably due to their genetic makeup mother cell having this feature. What is a mother cell? The primary cell. Ok the zygote. I guess from the first cell all the other cells replicated. I am learning! As far as serrated leave form being of benefit evolutionarily speaking, I think it would hold more water to work it's way into the root system of the plant eventually, helping the plant's nourishment. Also, maybe, this is a creepy thought all plants were meat eaters and need the knives for cutting through fingers and toes?