What is the role of large bundle sheath cells found around the vascular bundles in C4 plants?
- To provide the site for photorespiratory pathway
- To increase the number of chloroplast for the operation of Calvin cycle
- To enable the plant to tolerate high temperature
- To protect the vascular tissue from high light intensity
Answer
(2) To increase the number of chloroplast for the operation of Calvin cycle
Solution
In C4 plants (Kranz anatomy), the large bundle sheath cells around the vascular bundles have a large number of chloroplasts, thick walls impervious to gaseous exchange and no intercellular spaces.
CO2 released in these cells (from the C4 acid) enters the Calvin cycle, which operates only in the bundle sheath cells.
∴ Their role is to provide a large number of chloroplasts for the operation of the Calvin cycle (photorespiration does not occur in C4 plants).
Answer: (2)