PLANT TISSUES
like this due to specialized tissues called
CONCEPT MAP OF A PLANT TISSUES
WHAT ARE PLANT TISSUES?
THESE ARE COLLECTION OF CELLS
THAT PERFORMS SPECIFIC FUNCTION
CALLED TISSUE.
IT IS A GROUP OF CLOSELY ASSOCIATED
CELLS THAT PERFORM RELATED
FUNCTIONS AND ARE SIMILAR IN
STRUCTURE.
PLANT MERISTEMS AND THEIR ROLE ON
PLANT GROWTH
Unlike most animals, who grow to a specific
body size and shape and then stop growing
(determinate growth), plants exhibit
indeterminate growth where the plant will
continue adding new organs (leaves, stems,
roots) as long as it has access to the necessary
resources.
Plants are able to continue growing indefinitely
meristems, which are regions of continuous cell
division and growth.
Meristematic tissue cells are either
undifferentiated or incompletely differentiated,
and they continue to produce cells that quickly
differentiate, or specialize, and become
permanent tissues (dermal, ground, and
vascular).
FUNCTION OF MERISTEM
Its main function is to begin growth of new cells
in young seedlings at the tips of roots and
shoots (forming buds, among other things). The
central zone is located at the meristem summit,
where a small group of slowly dividing cells can
be found.
THE ROLE OF MERISTEM IN PLANT
GROWTH
Meristem Zones
Its main function is to trigger the growth of new
cells in young seedlings at the tips of roots and
shoots and forming buds.
THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF MERISTEMATIC
TISSUES
Apical meristems contain meristematic tissue
located at the tips of stems and roots, which
enable a plant to extend in length.
Lateral meristems facilitate growth in
thickness or girth in a maturing plant.
Intercalary (also called basal) meristems
occur only in some monocots, at the bases of
 leaf blades and at nodes (the areas where leaves
attach to a stem).
Meristems contribute to
both primary (taller/longer)
and secondary (wider) growth.  Primary growth
is controlled by root apical meristems or shoot
apical meristems, while secondary growth is
controlled by the two lateral meristems, called
the vascular cambium and the cork cambium.
Not all plants exhibit secondary growth.
PRIMARY GROWTH IN ROOTS
Root growth begins with seed germination.
When the plant embryo emerges from the seed,
the radicle of the embryo forms the root system.
The tip of the root is protected by the root cap, a
structure exclusive to roots and unlike any other
plant structure.
The root cap is continuously replaced because it
gets damaged easily as the root pushes through
soil.  elements) to the inside, and secondary phloem
THE ROOT TIP CAN BE DIVIDED INTO
THREE ZONES:
The zone of cellular division, which contains
the apical meristem, is the location immediately
behind the root cap where cells are actively
dividing via mitosis.
The zone of cellular elongation is the location
where the newly formed cells are growing, or
increasing in length, to add length to the root.
This process requires uptake of water, which
literally stretches the cells and increases their
size.
The zone of cellular maturation is the location
where newly elongated cells complete their
differentiation into the dermal, vascular, or
ground tissues. Maturation is driven by changes
in gene expression.
PRIMARY GROWTH IN SHOOTS
Primary growth in stems is a result of rapidly
dividing cells in the apical meristems at the
shoot tip. Subsequent cell elongation then leads
to primary growth.
In many plants, most primary growth occurs
primarily at the apical (top) bud, rather than
axillary buds (buds at locations of side
branching).
APICAL DOMINANCE
The influence of the apical bud on overall plant
growth.
Prevents the growth of axillary buds that form
along the sides of branches and stems. 
SECONDARY GROWTH IN SHOOTS
(AND ROOTS)
The process of secondary growth is controlled
by the lateral meristems, and is similar in both
stems and roots.
Lateral meristems include the vascular cambium
and, in woody plants, the cork cambium
(cambium is another term for meristem). 
Secondary growth, or wood, is noticeable in
woody plants; it occurs in some dicots, but
occurs very rarely in monocots.
 VASCULAR CAMBIUM
Is located between the primary xylem and
primary phloem within the vascular bundle.
The cells of the vascular cambium divide and
form secondary xylem (tracheids and vessel
(sieve elements and companion cells) to the
outside.
The cells of the secondary xylem contain lignin,
the primary component of wood, which
provides hardiness and strength. The xylem
together with the pith form the wood of a
woody stem.
CORK CAMBIUM
Is the outermost lateral meristem.
It produces cork cells, which contain a waxy
substance that can repel water. The phloem
together with the cork cells form the bark,
which protects the plant against physical
damage and helps reduce water loss. 
PHELLODERM
The cork cambium also produces a layer of cells
which grows inward from the cambium.
The cork cambium, cork cells, and phelloderm
are collectively termed the periderm. The
periderm substitutes for the epidermis in mature
plants.
PERMANENT TISSUE
Are made up of cells that do not undergo cell
division.
The cells in these tissues are modified to
perform some specific functions.
The cells in permanent tissues are fully grown,
bigger in size, and have a certain shape.
Permanent tissues are derived from the
meristematic tissue.

THE THREE MAIN TYPES OF SIMPLE
PERMANENT TISSUES
1. PARENCHYMA
Is a type of tissue consists of cells that carry out
an essential function.
Is the simple permanent ground tissues that
form the bulk of the plant tissues, such as the
soft part of leaves, fruit pulp, and other plant
organs.
Is living cells at maturity. The primary functions
of these cells are in photosynthesis, storage, and
that of acting as vascular and ground tissue.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PARENCHYMA
Parenchyma tissue is generally found in all
plants.
Its cells are living.
Intercellular spaces are present.
The cell wall is thin and is formed of cellulose.
A large vacuole is present in the center of the
cell.
Cells are generally rounded oval or polygonal.
2. COLLENCHYMA
Is a mechanical tissue in young dicotyledonous
stems and provides mechanical support.
It provides elasticity to the plant
It allows easy bending in various parts of the
plant (leaf, stem) without actually breaking it.
Is found immediately under the epidermis,
young stems, petioles, and leaf veins.
It has been seen in avocado fruit hypodermis.
Collenchyma cells may or may not contain a
few chloroplasts, and may perform
photosynthesis and store food.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLENCHYMA
Their axially elongated cells
Their cell wall thickenings
Their living protoplasts  They refer to the minute ports as the openings
3. SCLERENCHYMA
Support tissue composed of any of various
kinds of hard woody cells.
Mature sclerenchyma cells are usually dead
cells that have heavily thickened secondary
walls containing lignin.
Unlike collenchyma, mature cells of this tissue
are generally dead and have thick walls
containing lignin.
Are found in different shapes (spherical, oval, or
cylindrical) and are present in various plant
tissues such as the periderm, cortex, pith, xylem,
phloem, leaves, and fruits.  algae, lichens, and certain protists.
The hardness of the shell of nuts, the coat of
many seeds, and the stone of drupes (cherries
and plums) is due to this type of cell.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCLERENCHYMA
Their cells are dead.
Cells are long and narrow.
Cells are empty and devoid of protoplasm.
Cell walls are highly thickened due to lignin
deposition.
There is no internal space inside the cell.
Cells are closely packed, with no intercellular
spaces.
It is a strengthening or mechanical tissue.
CELLS IN THE TISSUE SYSTEMS (PLANT)
1. DERMAL TISSUES
Also known as SURFACE TISSUE and
considered as external tissues
It forms protective covering of the plant body
Found covering the younger primary parts of a
plant. These include leaves, roots, stems,
flowers, fruits, and seeds. Plant parts that
become woody no longer have dermal tissue as
their outer layer because it is replaced by
periderm, or cork.
A. Epidermis
B. Periderm
A. EPIDERMIS
Outermost layer of the primary plant body
Generally, only one layer thick with cuticle.
Composed mostly of unspecialized cells, either
parenchyma and/or sclerenchyma
Contains trichomes, stomata, bulliform cells (in
grasses)
EPIDERMIS’ STRUCTURE
1. STOMATA - “pores for gas exchange”
Present on one or both surfaces of leaves.
found under the surface of the leaf. These pores
play a significant role in the exchange of gases
like Oxygen and Carbon dioxide. The inner wall
of these guard cells is thicker than the outer.
2. CUTICLE - lines the outer wall of the
epidermal cells
Made up of waxy material that protects plants
from desiccation
Desiccation - transfer of excessive amounts of
water from leaves and into the atmosphere.
3. TRICHOMES - outgrowths of epidermal cells;
are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants,
 They are of diverse structure and function.
Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and
papillae.
B. PERIDERM
Also known as bark of trees
It is the outermost layer of stem and roots of
woody plants such as trees.
a protective tissue that replaces the epidermis
when the secondary growth displaces, and
ultimately destroys, the epidermis of the
primary plant body.
2. GROUND TISSUES
The ground tissue of the vascular plant is
responsible for storing the carbohydrates
produced by the plant. Ground tissue comprises
much of a young plant and lies between the
vascular and dermal tissues.
The major cells of the ground tissue are
parenchyma cells, which function in
photosynthesis and nutrient storage. They have
thin walls, many chloroplasts, and large central
vacuoles, and they form the mass of most
leaves, stems, and roots.
A. PARENCHYMA
Are the general purpose cells of plants
Cells are rounded in shape and have uniformly
thin walls found in all parts of the plants.
Living at maturity, have large vacuoles
Located at the leaf, stem, roots and fruits
FUNCTIONS OF PARENCHYMA
Basic metabolic function ( respiration,
photosynthesis, and protein synthesis)
Storage (potatoes, fruits and seeds)
Wound healing and regeneration
B. CHLORENCHYMA
It is a specialized parenchyma tissue found in
the green parts of the shoot and performs
photosynthesis.
Parenchyma whose cells contain chloroplasts
parenchyma - the primary tissue of higher plants
composed of thin-walled cells that remain
capable of cell division even when mature;
constitutes the greater part of leaves, roots, the
pulp of fruits, and the pith of stems
CHLOROPLASTS
Are organelles that conduct photosynthesis,
where the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll
captures the energy from sunlight, converts it,
and stores it in the energy-storage molecules
ATP and NADPH while freeing oxygen from
water in plant and algal cells
CHLOROPHYLL
The green coloring matter found mainly in the
chloroplasts of plants that absorbs energy from
sunlight to produce carbohydrates from carbon
dioxide and water during photosynthesis
C. SCLERENCHYMA
Sclerenchyma cells which are non-living and
lack protoplasts at maturity
Have thick, lignified secondary walls
Provide strength and support in parts that have
ceased elongating or mature
TYPES OF SCLERENCHYMA
a. SCLEREIDS OR STONE CELLS
A thick-walled lignified plant cell, often
branched in shape. Sclereids form many hard
structures such as seed coats and nut shells.
They are a type of sclerenchyma cell but are
usually shorter than fibers.
b. FIBERS
is composed of thin and continuous strands is
known as fibre. Plant fibres are elongated most
commonly sclerenchyma supportive plant cells
with thick cellulose walls with a well-organised
structure
3. VASCULAR TISSUES
Arrangement of multiple cell types in vascular
plants which allows for the transport of water,
minerals, and products of photosynthesis to be
transported throughout the plant
Specialized for long-distance transport of water
and dissolved substances
Contains transfer cells, fibers in addition to
parenchyma and conducting cells
Located at the veins of leaves
a. XYLEM
Comes from the Greek word xylos which means
“wood” transports water and dissolved nutrients
from the roots to all parts of a plant.
Direction of transport is UPWARD
TYPES OF XYLEM
Primary Xylem - differentiates from
procambium in the apical meristem and occurs
throughout the primary plant body
Secondary Xylem - differentiates from vascular
cambium and is commonly called wood
Xylary elements - the conducting cells in xylem
2 Kinds of Xylary Elements:
Tracheids - the only water conducting cells in
most woody, non- flowering plants
Vessel Elements - occur in several groups of
plants, including angiosperm
b. PHLOEM
 Comes from the greek word phloios which
means “bark”
Transports dissolved organic or food materials
from the leaves to the different parts of the plant
Glucose in phloem moves in all directions
TYPES OF PHLOEM
Primary Phloem - differentiate from
procambium and extends throughout the
primary body of the plant
Secondary Phloem - differentiates from the
vascular cambium and constitute the inner layer
of the bark
SIEVE TUBE ELEMENTS
Main conducting cells of phloem
Elongated and non-nucleated
Uniformly thin walled with the end walls
perforated from the sieve plate
Sieve tube element are attached end to end to
form the sieve tube
TISSUES IN SECRETORY PLANT
STRUCTURES
The cells or tissues concerned in secretion or
excretion of materials constitute secretory tissue
or special tissue
The secretions are produced by cytoplasm. The
secretions move outside the cell.
 Sometimes the secretions are stored in
specialized structures called glands, ducts or in
specialized cell. The secretions include
enzymes, nectar, gums, oils, latex-resins, etc.
The secretory tissues are classified into three
main types: laticiferous tissue, glandular tissue
and hydathodes
LATICIFEROUS TISSUE
Laticiferous tissue is composed of thin walled,
elongated, branched and multinucleate tube like
structures which contain colourless, milky juice
called latex.
The cells are distributed throughout the ground
tissue of the plant body.
They contain organic substances like starch,
proteins, enzymes, alkaloids, tannins, mucilage,
etc., laticiferous tissue is found in plants
belonging to (compositae) apocynaceae,
asclepiadaceae, euphorbiacease, musaceae, etc.
Laticiferous tissue is of two types: latex cells
and latex vessels.
1. LATEX CELLS
Latex cells are the individual cells.
They are smaller in size and uninucleate in the
beginning.
As the plant grows, they elongate considerably
and become multinucleate due to nuclear
divisions.
They may be branched or unbranched. They do
not anastomose.
Hence, they are called simple or non-articulated
laticifers.
Their cell walls are thin and cellulosic.
Cytoplasm is present in the form of a layer just
beneath the cell wall.
Inner to cytoplasm latex is present.
Latex cells are found in Calotropis, Nerium,
Ficus, Euphorbia, etc.
 2. LATEX VESSELS
Latex vessels are not individual cells; but
formed from a vertical row of cells.
Due to dissolution of transverse walls the
vertical row of cells fuse together and form a
long vessel called latex vessels.
Ontogenitically they resemble xylem vessels.
The latex vessels are surrounded by thin
cellulosic cell walls.
Inner to cell wall a thin layer of cytoplam is
present. Cytoplasm contains numerous nuclei.
Inner to cytoplasm latex is present. Latex
vessels are unbranched in the beginning; but
become branched as the plant grows.
Latex vessels anastomise with each other
forming a network. Hence, they are called
articulated laticifers.
GLANDULAR TISSUE
A gland is a specialized group of cells which
have the capacity to secrete or excrete products.
The products are secreted by the cytoplasm.
They may be stored in the cells or released
outside.
The cells which release the products outside
have dense cytoplasm and prominent nuclei.
The cells which store the products are larger in
size and show big vacuoles.
The cells are thin walled. The cell walls are
made up of cellulose. They are living.
The glands may be external or internal.
External glands are found on the epidermis.
They are formed from the epidermal cells or
from sub-epidermal cells, they may be
unicellular or multicellular.
Internal glands are found as cavities within the
plant body.
1. EXTERNAL GLANDS
The external glands occur on the epidermis of
stems, leaves and flowers.
 The external glands are glandular hairs,
nectaries and digestive glands.
A. GLANDULAR HAIRS
Glandular hairs are the hair-like structure
present on the epidermis of leaves.
They may be unicellular or multicellular.
They are living and show prominent nuclei.
The walls may be thin or thick.
The cells secrete substances which are stored in
cell cavities.
They are present in Urtica, Nymphaea,
Geranium and many members of rutaceae
(citrus family).
B. NECTARIES
Nectaries are special glands which secrete
sugary substance called nectar or honey.
They are present on floral parts and on
vegetative parts. The nectaries present on floral
parts are called floral nectaries.
The nectaries present on vegetative parts are
called extra floral nectaries.
The nectaries are formed either from epidermal
cells or from subepidermal cells.  and transpiration is slow.
Nectary consists of a layer of elongated and
palisade like cells.
The cells have dense cytoplasm and prominent
nuclei and their walls are thin.
The cells secrete nectar directly at their surface.
Nectar attracts the insects which help in
pollination.
C. DIGESTIVE GLANDS
Digestive glands are special glands which
secrete digestive enzymes.
They are present in insectivorous plants
They secrete proteolytic enzymes.
The enzymes digest the proteins of trapped
insects.
This type of digestion which takes place outside
the cell is called extra cellular digestion.
In Nepenthes digestive glands are present on the
inner surface of the pitcher.  balloon-like protrusions into tracheary elements.
2. INTERNAL GLANDS
Internal glands occur within the tissues of the
plant body.
Examples of internal glands are resin ducts
glands, mucilage ducts, etc.
On the basis of development, internal glands are
of two types: lysigenous cavity and
schizogenous cavity. 
A. LYSIGENOUS GLANDS (CAVITY)
Lysigenous gland is the cavity formed due to
dissolution of glandular cells.
The lysigenous cavity is large, irregular and
lined by disintegrated cells. 
It stores the secretory products. For example,
Oil glands of Citrus, Eucalyptus.
B. SCHIZOGENOUS GLAND (CAVITY)
Schizogenous gland is the cavity formed due to
separation of cell walls and enlargement of
intercellular spaces.
The cavity is lined by a layer of secretory cells.
This layer is called epithelial layer.
The cells of epithelial layer secrete the secretory
products into cavity. For example, resin ducts.
HYDATHODES 
Hydathodes are water- secreting structure found
along the margins of leaves of herbaceous
angiosperms (tomato, garden nasturtium) that
generally grow in humid places.
Water escapes through hydathodes in the form
of liquid. Escape of water from the plant in the
form of liquid is called guttation.
Guttation occurs when the atmosphere is
excessively humid, the roots absorb more water
Guttated water drops can be observed along the
margins of leaves of herbs, aroids and grasses
after warm days and cool nights.
Hydathode consists of an aperture.
The aperture is surrounded by two guard cells
which have lost the power of controlling the
size of the aperture. Hence the aperture always
opens out.
Beneath the aperture there is an air cavity.
Below the air cavity there are loosely arranged,
colourless, thin-walled, parenchyma cells.
The cells constitue epithem.
Beneath the epithem there are diverging
terminal tracheids resenting the end of vascular
bundle. 
TYLOSES
In many plants xylem parenchyma cells develop
Such protrusions are called tyloses.
Tyloses are formed by the enlargement of pit
membranes. They block the lumen of tracheary
elements completely.
Their walls are thin in the beginning.
Later the walls become thick and lignified.
Tyloses are formed when xylem elements become
inactive or when they are injured .
They prevent the conduction of water and mineral
ions.
They also prevent the movement of fungal
hyphae.