Why is the mesophyll called the main site for photosynthesis?

Although spongy mesophyll cells do not contain as many chloroplasts as those found in palisade cells, the nature of their arrangement plays an important role in photosynthesis. This is because being loosely packed enhances gas exchange during photosynthesis.

What is the function of the palisade mesophyll in a leaf?

The palisade mesophyll layer is where most of the photosynthesis occurs in the leaf. The palisade cells contain a lot of chloroplasts to help them perform this photosynthesis. The palisade cells are closely packed together to maximize light absorption.

What is the mesophyll layer in plants?

The mesophyll layer is the layer of the leaf comprised of chlorenchyma cells. Chlorenchyma cells are paranchyma cells that are photosynthetic. The chlorenchyma cells have numerous chloroplasts. Most flowering plants and ferns have a mesophyll layer divided into two sublayers: (1) palisade layer and (2) spongy layer.

What is the role of the spongy mesophyll?

In plants, it is part of the mesophyll, where it forms a layer next to the palisade cells in the leaf. The spongy mesophyll’s function is to allow for the interchange of gases (CO2) that are needed for photosynthesis.

What is the function of a mesophyll cell?

The most important role of the mesophyll cells is in photosynthesis. Mesophyll cells are large spaces within the leaf that allow carbon dioxide to move freely.

What is the other name of mesophyll?

mesophyll. (Science: plant biology) tissue found in the interior of leaves, made up of photosynthetic (parenchyma) cells, also called chlorenchyma cells.

What are the characteristics of mesophyll?

The ground tissue system, the mesophyll, is divided into two regions: the palisade parenchyma, located beneath the upper epidermis and composed of columnar cells oriented perpendicular to the leaf surface, and spongy parenchyma, located in the lower part of the leaf and composed of irregularly shaped cells.

Are mesophyll cells branched?

Leaf spongy mesophyll cells form an interconnected network of branched cells and intercellular spaces to maximize the surface area available for light capture and photosynthetic gas exchange.