Question

Kranz anatomy is found in the leaves of

• A. C${}_3$ plants.
• B. C${}_4$ plants.
• C. Both C${}_3$ and C${}_4$ plants.
• D. None of the above.

Answer 1

The correct option is B C${}_4$ plants.

Leaf anatomy is usually distinctive in $C_4$ plants. The photosynthetic mesophyll cells are closely associated with prominent, chloroplast-containing bundle sheath cells, which tightly encircle the veins of the leaf. The $C_4$ pathway occurs in the mesophyll cells, whereas the Calvin cycle takes place within the bundle sheath cells. This distinctive leaf anatomy characterised by dimorphic chloroplast is called as Kranz anatomy, where Kranz refers to the ring like arrangement of bundle sheath cells around the vascular tissue.