A.

CELL TYPES

B. CELL
MODIFICATIONS
Functions of epithelial cells include secretion,
selective absorption, protection, transcellular
transport, and sensing. Epithelial layers
contain no blood vessels, so they must
receive nourishment via diffusion of
substances from the underlying connective
tissue, through the basement membrane.
Muscle tissue is a soft tissue that composes
muscles in animal bodies, and gives rise to
muscles' ability to contract. This is opposed to
other components or tissues in muscle such as
tendons or perimysium. It is formed during
embryonic development through a process
known as myogenesis.
Connective tissue (CT) is one of the four basic
types of animal tissue, along with epithelial
tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. It
develops from the mesoderm. Connective
tissue is found in between other tissues
everywhere in the body, including the nervous
system.
Nervous tissue is one of four major classes
of tissues and makes up the central nervous
system and the peripheral nervous system.
Integration and communication are the two
major functions of nervous tissue. Nervous
tissue contains two categories of cells —
neurons and neuroglia.
A meristem is the tissue in most plants
containing undifferentiated cells, found in
zones of the plant where growth can take
place. Meristematic cells give rise to various
organs of a plant and are responsible for
growth. Differentiated plant cells generally
cannot divide or produce cells of a different
type.
The ground tissue of plants includes all tissues
that are neither dermal nor vascular. It can be
divided into three types based on the nature
of the cell walls.
Parenchyma cells have thin primary walls and usually
remain alive after they become mature. Parenchyma forms
the "filler" tissue in the soft parts of plants, and is usually
present in cortex, pericycle, pith, and medullary rays in
primary stem and root.
Collenchyma cells have thin primary walls with some
areas of secondary thickening. Collenchyma provides
extra mechanical and structural support, particularly in
regions of new growth.
Sclerenchyma cells have thick lignified secondary walls
and often die when mature. Sclerenchyma provides the
main structural support to a plant.
Vascular tissue is a complex conducting tissue,
formed of more than one cell type, found in
vascular plants. The primary components of
vascular tissue are the xylem and phloem.
These two tissues transport fluid and nutrients
internally.