Question

What is the role of large bundle sheath cells found around the vascular bundles in $C_4$ plants?

• A. To provide the site of photorespiratory pathway
• B. To increase the number of chloroplast for the operation of Calvin cycle
• C. To enable the plant to tolerate high temperature
• D. To protect the vascular tissue from high light intensity

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

To increase the number of chloroplast for the operation of Calvin cycle

Answer 2

The particularly large cells around the vascular bundles of the C4 plants are called bundle sheath cells, and the leaves which have such anatomy are said to have ‘Kranz’ anatomy. In C4 plants the bundle sheath cells may form several layers around the vascular bundles; they are characterised by having a large number of chloroplasts, thick walls impervious to gaseous exchange and no intercellular spaces. So, bundle sheath cells found around the vascular bundles of C4 plants increase the number of chloroplasts for the operation of the Calvin cycle.

So, the correct option is (B): To increase the number of chloroplast for the operation of Calvin cycle