What do the air spaces in the spongy mesophyll do?
What do the air spaces in the spongy mesophyll do?
Intercellular air spaces within the spongy mesophyll layer – they allow the diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Stomata (small pores usually found on the lower surface of the leaf) – allow carbon dioxide and oxygen to enter and leave the leaf.
What 2 functions do the air spaces of the spongy mesophyll serve in a dicot leaf?
These large spaces allow these layers to help carbon dioxide move around the leaf. The spongy mesophyll also allows the plant to bend and move in the wind, which itself helps move gases around the leaf’s cells.
Are the air spaces in the spongy mesophyll connected to the atmosphere?
Spongy Mesophyll: this tissue contains large air spaces which are linked to the atmosphere outside the leaf through microscopic pores called stomata on the lower surface. Spongy mesophyll cells also contain chloroplasts and photosynthesis occurs here too.
How are the spongy mesophyll cells adapted for their functions?
Spongy mesophyll tissue is packed loosely for efficient gas exchange. The spongy mesophyll cells are covered by a thin layer of water. When the plant is photosynthesising during the day, these features allow carbon dioxide to diffuse into the spongy mesophyll cells, and oxygen to diffuse out of them.
What is stoma function?
The stomata control gas exchange in the leaf. Each stoma can be open or closed, depending on how turgid its guard cells are. Diffusion of carbon dioxide into the leaf for photosynthesis and oxygen and water vapour out of the leaf, is greatest when the stomata are open during the day.
What are two functions of air spaces in the leaf?
What fills the space between the spongy mesophyll cells?
Gas exchange Spongy mesophyll cells are covered by a thin layer of water and loosely packed. When the plant is photosynthesising during the day, these features allow carbon dioxide to diffuse into the spongy mesophyll cells, and oxygen to diffuse out of it.
