Gas Exchange, Which is Necessary for Photosynthesis, Can Occur Most

Question

Gas exchange, which is necessary for photosynthesis, can occur most easily in which leaf tissue?
A) epidermis
B) palisade mesophyll
C) spongy mesophyll
D) vascular tissue
E) bundle sheath

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange primarily occurs through the stomata on the epidermis of the leaf. However, once inside the leaf, these gases need to diffuse through the mesophyll tissues to reach the chloroplasts where photosynthesis takes place. Both the palisade and spongy mesophyll tissues are involved in photosynthesis, but the spongy mesophyll has more air spaces between cells, making gas exchange easier.