No, guard cells do not perform photosynthesis to the same extent as mesophyll cells, even though they do contain chloroplasts.
Here's a breakdown based on available information:
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Limited Photosynthetic Machinery: According to the provided reference, guard cells have "lack chloroplast and chlorophyll" with low activity or absence of RUBISCO (Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase). They also lack Calvin cycle enzymes and NADP dehydrogenase. They do not perform photosynthesis as compared to mesophyll cells.
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Mesophyll Cells vs. Guard Cells: Although guard cells contain chloroplasts, their photosynthetic activity is significantly lower compared to mesophyll cells. This is due to the limited presence or activity of key photosynthetic enzymes like RuBisCO and other components of the Calvin cycle.
