Final answer:
Simple leaves have a single continuous lamina, which may be lobed but not separated to the midrib, while compound leaves have a lamina divided into multiple leaflets. Both types of leaves function in photosynthesis and have similar vascular systems despite their structural differences. Thus, the option 1 is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences and Similarities between Simple and Compound Leaves:
The primary difference between simple leaves and compound leaves is the structure of the lamina. A simple leaf has a single continuous lamina, which may be unlobed like a banana leaf or lobed as in a maple leaf. However, the lobes do not separate down to the midrib. In contrast, a compound leaf has a lamina that is divided into multiple leaflets, each of which may have its own stalk, but they are all connected to a single main stem or rachis. Compound leaves may be pinnately compound, with leaflets arranged along a midrib as in a rose, or palmately compound, with leaflets radiating out from a central point like the fingers of a hand as seen in the horse chestnut.
Some examples of modified leaves include tendrils for climbing, spines for protection, or storage leaves for water retention. Despite their differences, both simple and compound leaves serve the primary function of photosynthesis and share similar vascular systems for the transportation of nutrients and water.