mesophyll
1
9.1
- noun
- /ˈmɛsəˌfɪl/
- Specialized
- If carbon dioxide is to be supplied adequately to the increased mesophyll cell area in sun leaves, then the corresponding increase in leaf thickness should be accompanied by a more equal distribution of stomata on both leaf sides.
- mesophyll cell
- spongy mesophyll
- palisade mesophyll
Examples
-
Thus, both stomatal distribution and mesophyll cell area contribute to the higher rates of photosynthesis in sun leaves.
Academic text (1997) -
In order to maximize light absorption, the leaf's mesophyll contains a high concentration of chloroplasts.
-
It was concluded that leaf spot symptoms appeared due to infected mesophyll tissues.
Academic text (2014) -
The leaf has isolateral mesophyll with strong development of palisade layers.
Academic text (1998) -
Later, when bacterial cells increased in space previously occupied by mesophyll cells, there were empty spaces without any differentiation of tissues.
Academic text (2014) -
Upon water soaking, disruption of mesophyll cells occurred; mesophyll tissues were surrounded by bacteria, followed by thinning and disruption of the cell walls.
Academic text (2014) -
Stomata are seen on both leaf surfaces, and adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) palisade mesophyll are present throughout the leaf.
Academic text (1998) -
Logically, photosynthesis could be maximized if chloroplasts were situated at locations within the mesophyll at which both light levels and carbon dioxide availability were optimized by the appropriate combination of leaf orientation and structure.
Academic text (1997) -
For example, it has been known for over a century that the internal anatomy of leaves is characterized by different cell layers (e.g., the palisade and spongy mesophyll) and that stomatal pores can be located on one or both sides of a leaf.
Academic text (1997) -
By increasing the absorbing area for carbon dioxide in the mesophyll and allowing for more efficient light propagation deeper into a thicker leaf, these palisade cell layers enabled increased photosynthesis per unit leaf area.
Academic text (1997)
Synonyms
Plant tissue made of green cells that make food from light
How Photosynthetic
- Specialized
1
9.1
- Specialized
12
5.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
mesophyll = leaf (opaque) = meso + phyll
Although semantically related to 'leaf', the combining form '-phyll' and prefix 'meso-' are not recognisable English morphemes to most learners, so the relation to 'leaf' is not transparently recoverable.
Etymology
The word mesophyll comes from the parts meso- meaning 'middle' and -phyll meaning 'leaf', and you can also see -phyll in chlorophyll. So, mesophyll names the leaf's inner or 'middle' tissue where the plant makes food from sunlight.