Pronunciation: [mˈɛsəfˌɪl] (IPA) 
The word "mesophyll" refers to the inner tissue of a leaf. It's spelled /ˈmɛzəfɪl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This means the "me-" is pronounced like "mez", the "so-" is pronounced like "su", and the "-phyll" sounds like "fil". It's important to note the stress falls on the second syllable, making it "meh-SOF-ill". Spelling this word accurately is necessary for clear communication within the field of botany and biology.
Mesophyll is a term used in botany and plant physiology to describe the specialized tissue found within the leaves of plants. It is located between the upper and lower epidermal layers of the leaf, forming the main internal tissue of the leaf blade.
The mesophyll is responsible for the primary function of the leaf, which is photosynthesis. It contains chloroplasts, specialized organelles that contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for capturing energy from sunlight. The chloroplasts within the mesophyll cells are essential for the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
There are two types of mesophyll cells: the palisade mesophyll and the spongy mesophyll. The palisade mesophyll is located beneath the upper epidermis and consists of closely packed, elongated cells that are rich in chloroplasts. These cells are responsible for the majority of photosynthesis within the leaf. The spongy mesophyll, found beneath the palisade mesophyll, consists of loosely packed cells that contain fewer chloroplasts. These cells facilitate the exchange of gases and the movement of water vapor within the leaf.
Overall, the mesophyll is a crucial component of leaf anatomy, playing a vital role in photosynthesis, gas exchange, and transpiration.
The inner tissue of a leaf.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "mesophyll" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "meso" meaning "middle" or "intermediate" and "phyllon" meaning "leaf". The term was coined in the field of botany to describe the tissue located between the upper and lower epidermis of a leaf. It refers to the specialized tissue where photosynthesis occurs in plants.
