What are the Differences Between Spongy and Palisade Mesophyll?
While both spongy and palisade mesophyll are essential for photosynthesis, they have distinct differences:
The palisade mesophyll is located just beneath the upper epidermis and contains elongated cells arranged closely together, whereas the spongy mesophyll is beneath the palisade layer and comprises loosely packed cells. Palisade mesophyll cells contain more chloroplasts compared to spongy mesophyll cells, making them more active in photosynthesis. The spongy mesophyll has larger intercellular spaces, which are essential for gas exchange, unlike the tightly packed palisade mesophyll cells.
