TISSUES: EXPERIMENT (a)

AIM
To identify parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues in plants, from prepared
slides and to draw their labelled diagrams.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Prepared slides of parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma, compound microscope.

PROCEDURE

1. Observe the prepared slides of all the plant tissues one by one.
2. First focus the slide at low power and then observe it under high power.
3. Study the characters and draw the diagrams.

OBSERVATIONS

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
I. Parenchyma

1. Cells of Parenchyma tissue are isodiametric.

2. Intercellular spaces are present in between the cells.
3. Parenchymatous cells possess large central vacuole and peripheral cytoplasm with
a nucleus.
4. These are generally present in the soft parts of plants like leaves, roots, flowers,
etc.
5. The important functions of parenchymatous cells are storage, photosynthesis, etc.

II. Collenchyma

1. Collenchyma cells are somewhat oval to elongated.

2. Each cell possesses large central vacuole and peripheral cytoplasm with prominent
nucleus.
3. Thickenings are present at corners of cells. Thickening comprise of cellulose and
pectin.
4. Intercellular spaces are very few or maybe absent.
5. Collenchyma cells are commonly present below the epidermis in petiole, leaves and
stems.
6. The main function is to provide easy bending and mechanical strength.
III. Sclerenchyma

1. Cells of sclerenchyma tissue are dead with highly thickened walls.

2. Thickenings consist of lignin.
3. There are two types of sclerenchyma cells:
• fibres which are elongated cells with tapering ends and
• sclereids (also called stone cells), which are roughly isodiametric cells with
narrow cavities.
Sclerenchyma cells have pits which act as connections with adjacent cells.
The main function of sclerenchyma is to provide support and mechanical strength
to the plant.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Handle the microscope carefully.

2. Always focus the slide first at low power (10 x) and then at high power (40x).
EXPERIMENT (b)

AIM
To identify striped muscle fibres, smooth muscle fibres, cardiac muscle and nerve cells
in animals, from prepared slides and to draw their labelled diagrams.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Prepared slides of non-striated, striated and cardiac muscle fibres and nerve cells,
compound microscope.

PROCEDURE

1. Clean the microscope and adjust the light in microscope.

2. Place the prepared slide of tissue on the stage of microscope and focus first at low
power and then at high power.
3. Observe the structure of tissues and draw the diagram of tissues as seen under
microscope.

OBSERVATIONS

I. Striated Muscles or Striped or Skeletal Muscles

1. Striated muscle cells are cylindrical, elongated and enclosed in a membrane called
sarcolemma.
2. These muscle cells are multinucleated.
3. Striated muscles show presence of light and dark bands which gives it striped
appearance.
4. These muscles are present attached to the skeleton of the body.
5. They are voluntary muscles (i.e., work according to our will).

II. Non-striated Muscles or Unstriped or Smooth Muscles

1. The cells are spindle-shaped.
2. Nucleus is centrally located.
3. These muscles do not show striations {i.e., no light and dark bands).
4. Non-striated muscles are involuntary in nature.
5. They are commonly found in alimentary canals and blood vessels.

III.Cardiac Muscles

1. Cardiac muscle cells are long, branched and uninucleate.

2. These show the presence of intercalated discs.
3. They show alternate light and dark bands.
4. These are involuntary muscles and responsible for rhythmic contraction and
relaxation of heart.
5. Cardiac muscles are present only in walls of heart.

NERVE CELL

1. Nerve cell comprises of a cell body or cyton with a single nucleus and cytoplasm.
2. Many small cytoplasmic projections arise from cyton which are called dendrons.
The dendrons divide further to form dendrites.
3. A long cytoplasmic projection arising from cell body is called axon.
4. A myelin sheath is present over the axon in some nerve fibres, these are called
myelinated nerve fibre and when myelin sheath is absent these are called non-
myelinated nerve fibres.
5. Myelin sheath is not continuous. There are gaps along the entire length. Each gap
is called node of Ranvier.
6. Nerve cells help in conduction of nerve impulse.
PRECAUTIONS

1. Handle the microscope carefully.

2. Always focus the slide first at low power and then at high power.