[Campbell Biology P.820] Which of the following statements accurately differentiates between... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately differentiates between the palisade mesophyll and the spongy mesophyll in a typical eudicot leaf, based on the provided text?

  • A: Palisade mesophyll is located inward from the lower epidermis, while spongy mesophyll is beneath the upper epidermis.
  • B: Spongy mesophyll cells are elongated and chloroplast-rich, whereas palisade mesophyll cells are irregularly shaped with fewer chloroplasts.
  • C: Palisade mesophyll is primarily specialized for light capture, consisting of elongated, chloroplast-rich cells, while spongy mesophyll has irregularly shaped cells with fewer chloroplasts, forming air spaces for gas circulation.
  • D: Both palisade and spongy mesophyll layers primarily function in water transport throughout the leaf.

Explanation

The text clearly states that 'Palisade mesophyll, located beneath the upper epidermis, consists of one or more layers of elongated, chloroplast-rich cells that are specialized for light capture.' In contrast, 'Spongy mesophyll, located inward from the lower epidermis, consists of irregularly shaped cells that have fewer chloroplasts. These cells form a labyrinth of air spaces through which CO2 and O2 circulate to and from the palisade layer.' This highlights their distinct structures and primary specializations.