Overview of Spongy Mesophyll The leaf is a vital organ of the plant where most of the functions related to the plant metabolism take place. The broad midrib contains a vascular bundle, distinctly broader than that of stramonium, showing the usual bicollateral arrangement, which is also to be seen in the stems. Mesophyll cells are specialized for photosynthesis. Since the mesophyll cells contain chloroplasts the tissue is also referred to as chlorenchyma . BioCoach Activity Concept 5: Structure of a Mesophyll Cell. 1. Cells are with large inter cellular space. Spongy mesophyll. The palisade layer is found below the upper epidermis. Chloroplast trap light energy: Spongy Mesophyll: Vary in shape, loosely fit together with many air spaces between them: Less chloroplast than palisade. The spongy mesophyll is located on the bottom/underside of plant leaves, so it has less chloroplasts and aren't as rigid as the tough mesophyll. Because of this, they have air spaces in between them, which is where the stomata and guard cells reside. The mesophyll layer is divided into palisade and spongy layers. The spongy mesophyll contains calcium oxalate, mainly in the form of single and twin prisms, but clusters and microsphenoidal crystals are also present (Fig. So, this is the key difference between palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma. 1. There is a system of air spaces which communicate with the air chambers behind the stomata. spongy mesophyll In a leaf, mesophyll tissue comprising cells of irregular shape, some of them lobed, separated by large spaces in which the atmosphere is humid. The mesophyll of most leaves typically contains two arrangements of parenchyma cells: the palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma. Functions of the Mesophyll The palisade parenchyma (also called the palisade mesophyll) aids in photosynthesis and has column-shaped, tightly-packed cells. The spongy mesophyll is found towards the lower epidermis. In contrast, spongy parenchyma is the lower mesophyll layer of spherical or ovoid cells with few chloroplasts and very prominent intercellular air spaces. 3. Palisade Mesophyll: Long with many chloroplasts: Main region for photosynthesis. The palisade mesophyll, bundle sheath and spongy mesophyll are known as the ground parenchyma. 2. The air spaces allow gaseous exchange: Vascular Bundles: Leaf vein made up of xylem and phloem vessels Cells compactly arranged at right angle to the epidermis. 2. 26.7B,D). It lies just below the palisade layer. Spongy mesophyll is the site of gaseous exchange for photosynthesis and respiration.See also PALISADE MESOPHYLL. Palisade mesophyll. These cells possess large concentration of … The spongy mesophyll is located on the bottom/underside of plant leaves, so it has less chloroplasts and aren't as rigid as the tough mesophyll. 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