Parenchyma

One of the three main ground tissues (the others being Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma). These cells generally provide packing within a plant, forming tissues such as the pith and cortex. The cells can function as storage places for products of photosynthesis as well as for water. Some specialised parenchyma cells are formed within a leaf, the mesophyll layer, being called Chlorenchyma and include chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Other parenchyma cells within this layer are called the spongy mesophyll and function as a place for the exchange of plant and atmospheric gases.