Spongy tissue is a type of tissue found both in plants and animals. Spongy Mesophyll: a layer of spongy cells beneath the palisade layer, they carry out photosynthesis and store nutrients. ; In Nymphaea plant sclereids which give mechanical support to the spongy tissue and secretory cells are also found in these cells. Parenchyma cells occur throughout the plant structure. The elongated palisade parenchyma contains the largest number of chloroplasts per cell and is the primary site of photosynthesis in many plants. Spongy mesophyll cells also contain chloroplasts and photosynthesis occurs here too. Spongy tissue is a type of tissue found both in plants and animals.. Spongy mesophyll cells and guard cells (see below) also get some photosynthetic action. Thus the answer is the area where gas exchange occurs ... Name structure A. Epidermis (picture) Name structure B. Palisade mesophyll (picture) Name structure C. Spongy mesophyll (picture) Name structure D. spongy mesophyll is the air spaces in a plant that allow air to diffuse among the cells which are producing and releasing both CO2 and O2. The irregular spongy parenchyma also contains chloroplasts and facilitates the passage of gases through its many intercellular spaces. Overview of Spongy Mesophyll The leaf is a vital organ of the plant where most of the functions related to the plant metabolism take place. How does the structure of the spongy mesophyll contribute to its function? They may either be present as an independent mass of tissue or be linked with other cells in different tissues. Hydrophytic Leaf Adaptations. ; In xerophytic plants these cells stores water and food in the soluble forms. Spongy mesophyll cells are not packed so tightly together, which allows carbon dioxide and oxygen to reach the palisade cells where they are needed in photosynthesis. Spongy mesophyll cells are a type of parenchyma cells which is a part of the mesophyll tissue or ground tissue present below the epidermis of leaves in plants. Carbon dioxide and oxygen can’t just diffuse across the epidermis to get into the leaf. Leaf mesophyll composed of parenchyma tissue. In plants, it is part of the mesophyll, where it forms a layer next to the palisade cells in the leaf.The spongy mesophyll's function is to allow for the interchange of gases (CO2) that are needed for photosynthesis. Spongy mesophyll. Hydrophytes (hydro- meaning water) are plants adapted to growing in water. Layer with irregularly shaped cells that have many intercellular spaces between them that allow the passage of gases needed for or produced by photosynthesis. Epidermis, mesophyll, and vascular tissues are the three layers of a leaf using cross-sectional view. Leaf Structure. The spongy mesophyll's function is to allow for the interchange of gases (CO2) that are needed for photosynthesis. 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