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Glite Dictionary
abaxial

abaxial

9.9
The side of a leaf facing away from the stem, usually the lower side
  • adjective
  • /əˈbæk.si.əl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : abaxial
  • The abaxial surface of the leaf receives less sunlight than the adaxial side.

Examples

  • Stomata are seen on both leaf surfaces, and adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) palisade mesophyll are present throughout the leaf.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Precocious expansion of cells on the abaxial surface of the leaf apex produces the characteristic inrolling of the tip that may serve to protect its delicate growing tissues.

    Academic text (2001)

  • This scenario implies that the guard cells of these abaxial stomata respond to the light incident on the upper, opposite leaf surface, where few, if any, stomata are present.

    Academic text (1997)

  • In many plants, the abaxial part of the leaf is where the majority of the stomata are located.

  • The abaxial surface is often covered with fine hairs that help to reduce water loss.

Antonyms

adaxial
  • Specialized
9.9

The side of a leaf or plant part that faces the stem and usually gets more sunlight

Surface Forms

abaxial positive

Morphology

abaxial = axial (transparent) = ab + axial

Formed by the productive prefix 'ab-' (away) added to 'axial', giving the clear meaning 'away from the axis'.

Etymology

Abaxial comes from ab- meaning 'away from' and axis meaning 'center line' or like an 'axle' down the middle. So, abaxial describes the side of a leaf that faces 'away from' the plant's main stem and is usually the lower surface.