Bundle Sheath Cells & Kranz Anatomy — NEET Biology

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. 'Kranz' means 'wreath' and is a reflection of the arrangement of cells. 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. You may like to cut a section of the leaves of C₄ plants – maize or sorghum – to observe the Kranz anatomy and the distribution of mesophyll cells.