Growth and remodelling of cell walls drive simulated spongy mesophyll morphogenesis. The colorbar in the simulation represents the shape parameter \(\mathcal{A} = p^2 / (4\pi a)\), where \(p\) is the cell perimeter and \(a\) is the cell area.
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2022 ยท Morphogenesis
Mesophyll development
The spongy mesophyll, a complex porous tissue found within leaves and flowers, captures atmospheric carbon during photosynthesis and provides important structural stability. But how does this complex tissue develop its vital airspace?
Using deformable particles, we show that airspace can emerge from growth and remodelling of cell walls near void space.