Presence of bundle sheath is a characteristic of

Options

A. Xerophytic plants
B. Members of the grass family
C. `C_(4)` plants
D. `C_(3)` plants

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Bundle Sheath Cells**: Bundle sheath cells are specialized cells that surround the vascular bundles (xylem and phloem) in plants. They play a crucial role in photosynthesis, particularly in certain types of plants.

2. **Identifying Plant Types**: There are different types of plants based on their photosynthetic pathways:
- **C3 Plants**: These plants use the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation and do not have specialized bundle sheath cells.
- **C4 Plants**: These plants have a specialized structure known as Kranz anatomy, which includes bundle sheath cells. They perform a modified form of photosynthesis that is more efficient in hot and dry conditions.
- **CAM Plants**: These plants open their stomata at night to minimize water loss and also do not have bundle sheath cells.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Xerophytic Plants**: These are adapted to dry environments but do not specifically have bundle sheath cells.
- **Members of Grass Family**: This group primarily includes C3 plants, which do not have bundle sheath cells.
- **C3 Plants**: As mentioned, they utilize the C3 pathway and lack bundle sheath cells.
- **C4 Plants**: These plants are characterized by the presence of bundle sheath cells, which are essential for their photosynthetic process.

4. **Conclusion**: The presence of bundle sheath cells is a characteristic of C4 plants due to their unique photosynthetic adaptation.

**Final Answer**: The presence of bundle sheath cells is a characteristic of C4 plants.

---