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CHAPTER 6 TISSUES

6. Tissues

In Amoeba, a single cell carries out movement, intake of food and respiratory gases, respiration and
excretion. But in multi-cellular organisms the cells are specialized to carry out a few functions. Each
specialized function is taken up by a different group of cells. In human beings, muscle cells contract and
relax to cause movement, nerve cells carry messages, blood flows to transport oxygen, food, hormones
and waste material and so on. In plants, vascular tissues conduct food and water from one part of the plant
to other parts. So, multi-cellular organisms show division of labour.
A group of cells that are similar in structure and/or work together to achieve a particular function forms a
tissue.
6.1 Are Plants and Animals Made of Same Types of Tissues?

6.2 Plant Tissues

6.2.1 MERISTEMATIC TISSUE
The growth of plants occurs only in certain specific regions due to the presence of dividing tissue called
meristematic tissue, is located only at these points. A plant tissue that consists of cells which are always in
a state of division and cause growth is called meristematic tissue.

Characteristics of meristematic cells: cells are metabolically very active; have dense cytoplasm, thin
cellulose walls and prominent nuclei, lack vacuoles. [Since the cells are always dividing, there will be no
waste products or materials to store in the cell. Thus they don’t have vacuoles]
6.2.2 PERMANENT TISSUE
The process in which the cells of meristematic lose the ability to divide and take up a permanent shape,
size and function to form a permanent tissue is called differentiation. A tissue which consists of cells that
have a permanent shape and unction and incapable of division is called a permanent tissue.

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6.2.2 (i) SIMPLE PERMANENT TISSUE
A permanent tissue made of one type of cells, which look like each other are
Parenchyma which contains
called simple permanent tissue.
abundant chloroplasts and
1. PARENCHYMA -The basic packing tissue.
performs photosynthesis in
Structure: consists unspecialised living cells with thin cell walls, usually
leaves is called chlorenchyma
loosely packed, so that large spaces between cells (intercellular spaces)
are found in this tissue
Parenchyma with large air
Function: Provides support to plants and also stores food, nutrients and
cavities, found in aquatic
water
plants is called aerenchyma. It
2. COLLENCHYMA- Found in leaf stalks below epidermis
gives buoyancy to the plants
Structure: cells are living, elongated and irregularly thickened at the
to help them float.
corners, very little intercellular space
Function: It allows easy bending in various parts of a plant (leaf, stem) without breaking. It also provides
mechanical support to plants
3. SCLERENCHYMA- Present in stems, around vascular bundles, in the veins of leaves and in the
hard covering of seeds and nuts, husk of coconut
Structure: cells are dead, long and narrow, cell walls are thickened due to lignin (a chemical substance
which acts as cement and hardens them), no internal space inside the cell
Function: Makes the plant parts hard and stiff, provide mechanical support
EPIDERMIS: The epidermis is the outermost layer of cells that cover the entire plant surface.
Structure:
1. Made up of a single layer of cells which are usually flat
2. The outer and side walls of epidermal cells are thicker than the inner wall.
3. Plants living in very dry habitats, the epidermis may be thicker since protection from water loss .Since it
has a protective role to play, cells of epidermal tissue form a continuous layer without intercellular
spaces
Functions:
1. It protects all the parts of the plant.
2. Epidermal cells on the aerial parts of the plant often secrete a waxy, water-resistant layer on their
outer surface called cuticle. This aids in protection against loss of water, mechanical injury and
invasion by parasitic fungi [ cuticle is made up of a waxy material called cutin]
Stomata: They are tiny pores on the epidermis of leaves .Stomata are enclosed by two kidney-shaped cells
called guard cells. Functions: 1) necessary for exchanging gases with the atmosphere. 2) Transpiration (loss
of water in the form of water vapor) also takes place through stomata.
Root hairs: Epidermal cells of the roots, whose function is water absorption, commonly bear long hair-like
parts that greatly increase the total absorptive surface area.
Cork: As plants grow older; a strip of secondary meristem replaces the epidermis of the stem. It cuts off cells
towards the outside which forms the several-layer thick cork or the bark of the tree. Cells of cork are dead and
compactly arranged without intercellular spaces .They also has a chemical called suberin in their walls that
makes them impervious to gases and water.
6.2.2 (ii) COMPLEX PERMANENT TISSUE
➢ Complex tissues are made of more than one type of cells, which coordinate to perform a common function.
➢ Xylem and phloem- They are both conducting tissues and constitute a vascular bundle.
➢ Vascular or conductive tissue is a distinctive feature of the complex plants, one that has made possible their
survival in the terrestrial environment
➢ Cells of xylem tissue
1. Tracheids-unicellular structure 2. Vessels- multicellular
Similarities between tracheids and vessels: cells are dead, thick walls due to lignin, tubular structures
that allows them to transport water and minerals vertically
3. Xylem parenchyma –store food, radial conduction of water 4. Xylem fibres- Mainly supportive in function.

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➢ Cells of phloem tissue :
1. Sieve tubes- tubular cells with perforated walls for conducting materials
2. Companion cells- control the activities of sieve tubes Except for phloem fibres, phloem cells
3. Phloem fibres 4. phloem parenchyma are living cells
Difference between xylem and phloem transport
1. xylem transport water and minerals from roots to upper parts of plants, while phloem transport
prepared food from leaves to other plant parts for storage or use
2. xylem transport is unidirectional , phloem transport is bi/multidirectional
ANIMAL TISSUES
EPITHELIAL TISSUE
The covering or protective tissues in the animal body are epithelial tissues.
General functions:-
1. Epithelium covers most organs and cavities within the body. 2. It also forms a barrier to keep
different body systems separate.
General features:-
1. Cells are tightly packed and form a continuous sheet.
2. They have only a small amount of cementing material between them and almost no intercellular
spaces
• The permeability of the cells of various epithelia plays an important role in regulating the exchange
of materials between the body and the external environment and also between different parts of the
body.
• All epithelium is usually separated from the underlying tissue by an extracellular fibrous basement
membrane.
Type Location Structure Function
SIMPLE Lining of blood vessels or Cells are extremely thin and flat and form Transportation of
SQUAMOUS
lung alveoli, esophagus a delicate lining. substances occurs
and the lining of the mouth through a selectively
permeable surface
COLUMNAR inner lining of the intestine Cells are elongated pillar-like Water absorption
Nuclei towards the base of cell and secretion in
small intestine
CILIATED Inner lining of respiratory Columnar cells have cilia, which are hair- Cilia can move, and
COLUMNAR
tract like projections on the outer surfaces of their movement
epithelial cells. pushes the mucus
forward to clear it.
CUBOIDAL lining of kidney tubules Cells are cubical in shape with centrally provides
and ducts of salivary located nucleus. mechanical support
glands
Stratified squamous epithelium: -. Skin epithelial cells are arranged in many layers to prevent wear and
tear. Since they are arranged in a pattern of layers, the epithelium is called stratified squamous epithelium.
Glandular epithelium: - It is formed by infolding of a portion of epithelial tissue to form a multicellular gland
and secretes certain substances
NERVOUS TISSUE: The cells of the nervous tissue, called neurons are highly specialized for being
stimulated and then transmitting the stimulus very rapidly from one place to another within the body.
➢ The brain, spinal cord and nerves are all composed of the nervous tissue.
➢ A neuron consists of a 1] cell body with a nucleus and cytoplasm 2] axon - long thin extension of cell
body 3] dendrites - short, branched extensions of cell body
➢ An individual nerve cell may be up to a metre long. Many nerve fibres bound together by connective
tissue make a nerve
MUSCULAR TISSUE-Muscular tissue consists of elongated cells- called muscle fibres. This tissue is
responsible for movement in our body.
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Muscles contain special proteins called contractile proteins, which contract and relax to cause movement
➢ Voluntary muscles: Muscles which can be moved by our conscious will. E.g. Muscles present in our
limbs
➢ Involuntary muscles:-Muscles which cannot be moved according to our will .E.g..-Found in alimentary
canal, iris of eye
STRIATED UNSTRIATED/NON STRIATED CARDIAC
LOCATION IN BODY
Limbs, body walls, tongue Posterior part of food pipe, iris of eye, Heart walls
ureter, urinary bladder, bronchi of lungs
FUNCTION
Control voluntary movements [called Control involuntary movements [ also Rhythmic contraction and
skeletal muscles as they are attached to called smooth muscle] relaxation of cardiac muscles
bones and help in body movements] pump blood to different parts
STRUCTURE
Cells are long, cylindrical, unbranched Cells are long with pointed ends Cells are cylindrical and
(spindle-shaped),, unbranched branched
Alternate light and dark bands or striationsStriates are absent Faint striations are present
present
Multinucleate with nuclei located at Uninucleate with centrally located Uninucleate
periphery nucleus
CONNECTIVE TISSUE: -cells loosely spaced and embedded in an intercellular matrix which may be jelly like,
fluid, dense or rigid. The nature of matrix differs in concordance with the function of the connective tissue

TISSUE STRUCTURE
Matrix Cells
BLOOD Fluid matrix - White blood cells[WBC], Red blood cells[RBC],platelets
plasma, contain Function: Transports gases, digested food, hormones and waste
proteins, salts materials to different parts of the body[ collects wastes from all parts of the
and hormones body and carries them to the liver and kidney for disposal.]
BONE hard matrix Osteocytes [bone cells ] closely embedded in matrix
[strong and composed of Ca Functions: Forms the framework that supports the body , Anchors the
non flexible] & P compounds muscles and supports the main organs of the body.
CARTILAGE Solid matrix- Chrondrocytes are widely spaced cells.
[soft and made of Functions :Cartilage smoothens bone surfaces at joints
flexible] proteins & [Present in the nose, ear, trachea and larynx. We can fold the cartilage of
sugars. the ears]
ADIPOSE Made up of Cells are filled with fat globules.
carbohydrates Functions: Fat storing tissue , Found below the skin and between internal
and proteins organs and act as an insulator.
AREOLAR Matrix present Include macrophages, mast cells and plasma cells
with fibres and Functions :It fills the space inside the organs and supports internal organs
cells Helps in repair of tissues
[ Found between the skin and muscles, around blood vessels and nerves
and in the bone marrow]
TENDON Tough and White collagen fibres arranged in bundles and contain fibroblasts
inelastic ,limited Function :Connect skeletal muscles with bones
flexibility.
LIGAMENT Very little matrix Yellow fibres.
So elastic Function : Has considerable strength and connect two bones

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