Question

What is the main function of mesophyll tissue of leaves

Answer 1

Cells of the mesophyll make up the bulk of internal leaf tissue and are the major site of photosynthesis in a plant by virtue of containing large populations of chloroplast organelles. The differentiation of the mesophyll and its coordinated expansion is important to leaf function because light interception by chloroplasts and gas exchange in the internal airspaces of the leaf are crucial to optimise rates of photosynthesis. In dicotyledonous leaves there are two types of mesophyll cell; palisade mesophyll and spongy mesophyll. Palisade mesophyll cells are elongate and form a layer beneath the upper epidermis, whereas spongy mesophyll cells are internal to the lower epidermis. Mesophyll cells in monocotyledonous leaves are often highly lobed. All mesophyll cells contain large populations of chloroplasts, which enable the leaf to carry out photosynthetic carbon assimilation.

Answer 2

@sabotooth