# Explain why leaves contain palisade mesophyll cells and why these cells are able to carry out photosynthesis.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B1.4 Photosynthesis · Explain · 4 marks

> Plants are photosynthetic organisms and are the main producers of food and biomass for life on Earth. The internal structure of a leaf is adapted to maximise the rate of photosynthesis.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Palisade mesophyll is a specialised plant tissue that carries out photosynthesis
2. Palisade mesophyll cells contain chloroplasts
3. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which absorbs light energy
4. Chloroplasts also contain the enzymes needed for photosynthesis to occur

## Key terms

- [palisade mesophyll](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/palisade-mesophyll)
- [photosynthesis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/photosynthesis)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-leaves-contain-palisade-mesophyll-c0807f29) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.