Question

MesophyIl is differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma is adaptation to

• A. Light intensity
• B. Reduced transpiration
• C. Low water availability
• D. Atomospheric humidity

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Light intensity

Mesophyll tissue is one of the major tissues of the leaf. These are differentiated into palisade cells and the spongy mesophyll cells. The two cells are variously shaped. The palisade cells form a layer close to the epidermis while the spongy cells are formed below the palisade cells.

Palisade parenchyma is thin-walled cells with large numbers of chloroplasts. They are cylindrical in shape.

Spongy mesophyll is ball-shaped cells with large intercellular spaces but contains fewer chloroplasts than palisade cells. It allows for gas exchange.

The palisade mesophyll is the main site of photosynthesis, as there is more chloroplast per cell than spongy mesophyll.

Photosynthesis occurs in spongy mesophyll only at high light intensities. Thus, different proportions of spongy and palisade parenchyma can be observed in plants depending on the light intensity of the place.

So, the correct answer is option A.