What is the Difference Between Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells?

Mesophyll and bundle sheath cells are two types of photosynthetic cells found in C4 plants. They play different roles in the process of photosynthesis and have distinct features:

Mesophyll Cells:

• Carry out the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
• Located in the middle of the leaf, surrounding the bundle sheath cells.
• Have thin cell walls and randomly arranged chloroplasts.
• Possess well-developed chloroplasts that are distributed along cell walls.

Bundle Sheath Cells:

• Carry out the light-independent (Calvin cycle) reactions of photosynthesis.
• Surround leaf veins or vascular bundles of C4 plants.
• Have thick cell walls and centrifugally arranged chloroplasts.
• Contain starch granules and unstacked thylakoid membranes.
• In C4 plants, bundle sheath cells play a crucial role in photosynthesis, with the Rubisco enzyme in these cells fixing CO2 and producing sugars.

In summary, mesophyll cells are involved in the initial steps of carbon fixation, while bundle sheath cells are involved in the Calvin cycle, playing a crucial role in photosynthesis. Both cell types have differentiated cellular structures and functions, and they are in direct contact with each other.

Comparative Table: Mesophyll vs Bundle Sheath Cells

Mesophyll and bundle sheath cells are found in C4 plant leaves and play different roles in the process of photosynthesis. Here is a comparison of their differences:

Both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells are living plant cells that are differentiated and have chloroplasts and chlorophylls. They are found in C4 plant leaves and are in direct contact with each other.