Question

Spongy mesophyll is one layer of cells located near the middle of most leaves. These cells contain chloroplasts and are irregularly shaped and widely spaced, unlike cells in the palisade layer which are more compact, have a more definite shape, but also contain chloroplasts.

How would this arrangement of spongy mesophyll cells benefit the plant?

Answer 1

The wide spacing and irregular shape of spongy mesophyll cells benefit the plant by enabling efficient gas exchange and providing easy access to chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The arrangement of spongy mesophyll cells in the middle of most leaves benefits the plant by facilitating efficient gas exchange. These loosely packed, irregularly shaped cells create large intercellular air spaces that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse easily between the leaf's interior and the external environment. The presence of stomata on the leaf's surface further aids this process by providing openings for gases to enter and exit the leaf. The spongy mesophyll's structure is especially advantageous for photosynthesis, as the ample space around each cell ensures that carbon dioxide can readily reach the chloroplasts within the mesophyll cells, where it is used to synthesize organic compounds.