Chapter-6TissuesPart 1Introduction to Tissues & Plant Tissues

Organisms have to perform a number of functions to remain alive. Some such functions and processes arenutrition, respiration, excretion etc.In unicellular organisms, these functions are performed by a single cell. For eg. In amoeba, a single cellmoves, ingests food, respires and excretes.In multicellular organisms, there are millions of cells. Groups of cells are specialised to perform a particularfunction. Since they only have to perform that specific function, they are able to perform it in an efficient andwell organised manner. For eg. Cells of muscle tissue contract and relax to cause movement, cells of nervoustissue 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 particularfunction, form a tissue.Difference between animal tissues and plant tissues:

Plants are stationary i.e. they do not move. So it is important for them to strong supportive structure. Now, ifthis structure is made of dead cells, rather than living, it is an advantage for the plant as living cells wouldrequire maintenance in the form of food, gases etc.Since animals move from one place to another, so they consume more energy and hence need more livingtissues.Following are some differences between plant and animal tissues:Plant tissues Animal Tissues

Since plants are stationary so theydo not require much energy, Hencemore living tissues are not required.Since animals are mobile so theyrequire more energy, hence moreliving tissues are required.In plants, most tissues providestructural strength. Most of thesetissues are dead9can provide mechanical strength aseasily as the living ones and needless maintenance.Animals move from one place toanother in search of food, shelteretc., hence they need more energyand there more tissues are living.Growth is limited to certain regions Cell growth is uniformally distributedStructural organisation of organs iscomparatively less complex.Structural organisation of organs andorgan systems is more specialisedand complex.

Plant Tissues

Based upon their ability to divide, the plant tissues are divided into two categories :

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Meristematic tissue:

Cells of this tissue continue to divide throughout the life of the plant. Some ofthese cells loose their ability to divide and become part of other tissues.

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Permanent tissue:

Cells of this tissue have lost their ability to divide and they have a speciallisedstructure to perform specific functions.

Meristematic Tissue

Meristematic Tissue has the following properties:

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It consists of actively dividing cells.

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The cells are always compactly arranged, without any intercellular spaces.

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The cells have dense cytoplasm, thin walls made of cellulose and prominent nuclei.

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Cells of Meristematic tissue lack vacuoles.

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Except mitochondria, other cell organelles are either absent or present in a nonfunctional state. Forexample, 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 stemand rootIncrease in length of stemand rootLateral Meristem (alsocalled cambium)Found on the lateral sides of rootsand stemIncrease in girth of stemand rootIntercalary MeristemPresent at the base of leaves orinternodesGrowth of leaves andbranches

Plant Tissues

Meristimatic Tissues

(These cells continuously divide throughoutthe life of the plant)ApicalMeristemLateralMeristemIntercalaryMeristem

Permanent Tissues

(Cells with speciallised structure and functionthat have lost their ability to divide further)Simple PermanentTissueParenchymaCollenchymaSclerenchymaComplex PermanentTissueXylemPhloem

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 permanenttissue 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 ofcellulose. 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 provideturgidity 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 synthesizefood by the process of photosynthesis.

ii)

Aerenchyma: In aquatic plants parenchymatous cells have air cavities between them to store air, such atissue 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 calledEpidermis. These cells are without intercellular spaces.

(b)

ollenchyma

Structure

: This tissue is composed of somewhat elongated cells with cell walls that are irregularly thickenedat corners due to deposition of cellulose or pectin. They may be oval, circular or polygonal. Very littleintercellular 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 possesschloroplasts to perform Photosynthesis. The stem and leaves are able to bend easily and then come back totheir 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 ofcellulose or lignin or both. Several unlignified areas called pits often develop on walls.

Location: This t

issue 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 shearingforces. It provides strength to plant parts and also protects the delicate parts of the plants.They are of two types: fibres and sclereids.

Epidermis and bark- The protective tissues:

The

epidermis

usually consists of a single-layered group of cells that covers plants leaves, flowers, rootsand stems. It forms a boundary between the plant and the external world.The epidermis serves several functions;a) It protects against water loss as it covers the entire plant surface. The outer and side walls of epidermalcells are thicker than the inner walls.b) In plants living in dry, arid regions, the epidermis may be multilayered to provide additional protectionagainst loss of water.c) The epidermis in the aerial parts of the plant mat secrete a waxy, water-resistant layer on the outer surfaceto further protect the plant against water loss, mechanical injury and invasion by disease causing bacteriaand fungi.d) Epidermis of the leaf also has stomata that regulate gas exchange. Stomata are more in number on thelower epidermis than the upper epidermis. This is another strategy to prevent water loss as upperepidermis is more exposed to sunlight than the lower epidermis.e) Sometimes, the epidermal cells secretes metabolic compounds, that have different functions (e.g. somemetabolic substances released by roots do not allow other plants to grow in that vicinity)f) The epidermal cells, especially in roots absorb water and mineral nutrients. The epidermal cells of rootshave hair like extensions called root hair that increase the surface area for absorption of water andminerals.g) The leaf epidermis, sometimes, has multicellular hairs that contain chemicals to ward off insects.