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Do isobilateral leaves have well-differentiated mesophyll tissue?

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

False. Isobilateral leaves do not have well-differentiated mesophyll tissue into distinct palisade and spongy layers. In isobilateral leaves (found in many monocots and some xerophytes), the mesophyll is uniform in structure, with palisade-like cells arranged on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf, or with spongy mesophyll throughout. This contrasts with dorsiventral (bifacial) leaves, which have distinct palisade mesophyll on the upper surface and spongy mesophyll on the lower surface. The isobilateral structure is often an adaptation to environments where leaves may be oriented vertically or receive light from multiple directions, allowing efficient photosynthesis regardless of leaf orientation. This homogeneous arrangement provides symmetrical function for both leaf surfaces.

General · Class 12