What is Kranz anatomy?

Kranz anatomy is a specialized structural adaptation found in C4 plants. This unique arrangement involves mesophyll cells that are tightly clustered around bundle-sheath cells. This spatial separation is crucial for the C4 photosynthetic pathway, which enhances the efficiency of carbon fixation, particularly in environments with high light intensity and temperatures. In Kranz anatomy, the mesophyll cells primarily engage in the initial fixation of carbon dioxide into a four-carbon compound, while the bundle-sheath cells are responsible for converting this compound into sugars. This collaboration allows C4 plants to minimize photorespiration and maximize photosynthetic efficiency, making them well-suited for certain ecological niches. This anatomical feature is specifically designed to optimize the photosynthetic process under conditions that would be less favorable for C3 plants, highlighting the evolutionary adaptations of plants to their environments.