Final answer:
Simple leaves have one undivided blade, while compound leaves consist of multiple leaflets. Examples of modified leaves include broad leaves for sunlight, spines for defense, needle-like leaves for cold environments, and flat floating leaves for aquatic plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Simple and Compound Leaves
Simple leaves have a single, undivided blade, which may have lobes, but these lobes do not reach the midrib, such as in a maple leaf. On the other hand, compound leaves are made up of multiple leaflets, which are each separated and joined to a central rachis. The locust tree is an example of a plant with compound leaves. Compound leaves come in different forms, including palmately compound leaves, resembling the palm of a hand with leaflets radiating outward, and pinnately compound leaves, with leaflets arranged along the midrib resembling a feather.
Examples of Modified Leaves
Modified leaves have adapted to serve various functions, such as broad leaves to capture sunlight, spines to reduce water loss and deter herbivores, needle-like leaves on conifers to survive in cold and dry conditions, and wide, flat leaves that can float to enable aquatic plants to stay afloat.