Palisade Mesophyll Cells Flashcards
Where are the palisade mesophyll cells found and what is the function?
They are found on the upper layers of plant leaves, and their function is that they are the main site of photosynthesis.
How do plants ensure enough sunlight energy reaches the chloroplasts for photosynthesis?
.Large number of chloroplasts
.Transparent cell wall to allow more light to reach chloroplasts
.Chloroplasts near edge of cell wall
How do we maximise surface area for capturing sunlight energy?
.Cylindrical Shape
.Arranged at right angles to the upper epidermis
.Cells arranged close together in a compact formation
How do we ensure gas exchange takes place for photosynthesis
. Long narrow gaps between cells for air to circulate
.Thin cell walls for short diffusion pathway for gases
How do we protect sun damage when under intense sunlight
.Cytoskeleton can move chloroplasts around depending on the sunlight intensity.
How do we store products of photosynthesis to maintain turgor pressure, to maintain a rigid cell framework?
.Large central storage vacuole containing cell sap
How are chloroplasts good for photosynthesis?
.Contains chlorophyll to trap light energy
.Chlorophyll absorbs light energy needed for photosynthesis
How are large vacuoles good for photosynthesis?
Large vacuoles push chloroplasts to the outer edges of the cell so that they can get more light, and so there is a short diffusion distance for CO2
.They make the cell turgid
How are cell walls good for photosynthesis?
Clear cell wall to allow sunlight to pass through for photosynthesis
How is the cylindrical shape good for photosynthesis?
.Long and cylindrical so many can be packed together so it increases the area for absorption of light energy.
.With air spaces between to allow CO2 to diffuse to all cells.
How is mitochondria good for photosynthesis?
Makes ATP which is needed in photosynthesis.
How is a plasma membrane good for photosynthesis?
.To allow CO2 to diffuse into the cell, and water to move into the cell by osmosis which are both needed for photosynthesis
.To allow oxygen and glucose to diffuse out of the cell, which are both made in photosynthesis
How is a cytoskeleton good for photosynthesis?
.It moves chloroplasts upwards so they can move upwards to absorb light, or back down if the sunlight is too intense.
Explain why the palisade mesophyll cells are not stacked on top of each other in thick layers
Gaps are needed between cells for air to circulate, if they are stacked, limited sunlight will reach the cell for photosynthesis. These air spaces are made for gas exchange, this maximises efficiency of each palisade cell to absorb sunlight energy and carry out photosynthesis. If they were stacked lower levels wouldn’t receive as much sunlight energy.
