Tissues Part - 1
Tissues Part - 1
Tissues Part - 1
Tissues
Part 1
Introduction to Tissues & Plant Tissues
Organisms have to perform a number of functions to remain alive. Some such functions and processes are
nutrition, respiration, excretion etc.
In unicellular organisms, these functions are performed by a single cell. For eg. In amoeba, a single cell
moves, ingests food, respires and excretes.
In multicellular organisms, there are millions of cells. Groups of cells are specialised to perform a particular
function. Since they only have to perform that specific function, they are able to perform it in an efficient and
well organised manner. For eg. Cells of muscle tissue contract and relax to cause movement, cells of nervous
tissue help in movement of messages to and from the brain to body parts.
Hence multicellular organisms show ‘division of labour’ by formation of groups of cells performing specific
functions, i.e tissues and then forming organs and organ systems.
So, A group of cells that are similar in structure & origin and work together to perform a particular
function, form a tissue.
Plant Tissues
Based upon their ability to divide, the plant tissues are divided into two categories :
Meristematic tissue: Cells of this tissue continue to divide throughout the life of the plant. Some of
these cells loose their ability to divide and become part of other tissues.
Permanent tissue: Cells of this tissue have lost their ability to divide and they have a speciallised
structure to perform specific functions.
Plant Tissues
Simple Permanent
Apical Tissue Complex Permanent
Meristem Tissue
Parenchyma Xylem
Lateral
Meristem
Collenchyma
Phloem
Intercalary
Meristem Sclerenchyma
Meristematic Tissue
Meristematic Tissue has the following properties:
It consists of actively dividing cells.
The cells are always compactly arranged, without any intercellular spaces.
The cells have dense cytoplasm, thin walls made of cellulose and prominent nuclei.
Cells of Meristematic tissue lack vacuoles.
Except mitochondria, other cell organelles are either absent or present in a nonfunctional state. For
example, the plastids may be present in a non-functional state called proplastids.
The Meristematic tissue is divided into three categories on the basis of their location in the plant.
Name of the tissue Location Function
Apical Meristem Present at the growing tip of stem Increase in length of stem
and root and root
Lateral Meristem (also Found on the lateral sides of roots Increase in girth of stem
called cambium) and stem and root
Intercalary Meristem Present at the base of leaves or Growth of leaves and
internodes branches
Permanent Tissue
Based on the type of cells present in the tissue, the Permanent tissue is divided into two categories:
Simple Permanent Tissue and Complex Permanent Tissue.
While the simple permanent tissue consist of only one type of cells (eg. Parenchyma), the complex permanent
tissue consists of more than one type of cells (eg. Xylem and phloem)
Simple Permanent Tissues
(a) Parenchyma
Structure:It is the fundamental tissue composed of thin walled, living cells whose cell wall is composed of
cellulose. Small intercellular spaces are present between the cells.
Location and function: It occurs in all soft parts of plants and is meant for storage of food and to provide
turgidity to softer parts of plants. Parenchyma tissue in stem and roots store nutrients and water.
Types of parenchyma: i) Chlorenchyma :Certain parenchymatous tissue contain chloroplast and synthesize
food by the process of photosynthesis.
ii) Aerenchyma: In aquatic plants parenchymatous cells have air cavities between them to store air, such a
tissue is called Aerenchyma. It provides buoyancy to the aquatic plants so that they can float in water.
iii) Epidermis: The outermost protective layer of plants is made up of specially modified parenchyma called
Epidermis. These cells are without intercellular spaces.
(b) Collenchyma
Structure: This tissue is composed of somewhat elongated cells with cell walls that are irregularly thickened
at corners due to deposition of cellulose or pectin. They may be oval, circular or polygonal. Very little
intercellular spaces are present.
Location: It occurs below the epidermis of stem and petiole (stalk of the leaf) and around veins.
Function: This tissue provides mechanical support and flexibility and in some cases it may possess
chloroplasts to perform Photosynthesis. The stem and leaves are able to bend easily and then come back to
their original position due to the presence of collenchyma.
(c) Sclerenchyma
Structure: It is a tissue of dead and thick walled cells, having no intercellular spaces. The thickenings are of
cellulose or lignin or both. Several unlignified areas called pits often develop on walls.
Location: This tissue is usually found in the hard and stiff parts of the plant like seed coat, husk of coconut,
in the stem around vascular bundles, veins of leaves and hard covering of fruits and nuts.
Function: It is the chief mechanical tissue in plants and is able to bear push, pull, strain and shearing
forces. It provides strength to plant parts and also protects the delicate parts of the plants.
They are of two types: fibres and sclereids.
Of these, the tracheids and the vessels are described as essential elements since they are directly involved in
the translocation of water and mineral substances. They help in vertical transport of water and minerals.
Xylem fibers and xylem parenchyma are described as associated elements. Xylem fibres are supportive in
function. Xylem parenchyma helps in sideways conduction of water. The tracheids, the vessels and the xylem
fibers are non-living components, while xylem parenchyma represents the only living component of the tissue.
Xylem is commonly described as a dead, complex permanent tissue.
Phloem:
Phloem is a complex permanent tissue, which is specialized for the conduction of food and other organic
substances. Phloem is also a heterogenous tissue, made up of four different types of cellular elements,
namely,
Sieve tubes
Companion cells
Phloem parenchyma and
Phloem fibres
Of these, the sieve tubes and the companion cells are directly involved in the translocation of the organic
substances. Hence, they are commonly described as essential elements. Phloem parenchyma and phloem
fibres are described as associated elements since they play only a supporting role in the process.
The sieve tubes, the companion cells and the phloem parenchyma represent the living components of the
tissue while phloem fibres represent the only nonliving component of the tissue. Phloem, unlike xylem, is able
to transport food in both directions.
Phloem is commonly described as a living, complex permanent tissue.