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Preparation of Parenchyma and Sclerenchyma

The document describes an experiment to study parenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues in plants. Sections of plant stems are made and stained, then observed under a microscope. Parenchyma cells have thin walls, are loosely arranged and have visible nuclei and cytoplasm. Sclerenchyma cells have thick lignified walls, are elongated and irregularly shaped with no visible internal structure. The experiment allows comparison of the distinct characteristics of these two fundamental plant tissue types.

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Nikita Kutum
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1K views3 pages

Preparation of Parenchyma and Sclerenchyma

The document describes an experiment to study parenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues in plants. Sections of plant stems are made and stained, then observed under a microscope. Parenchyma cells have thin walls, are loosely arranged and have visible nuclei and cytoplasm. Sclerenchyma cells have thick lignified walls, are elongated and irregularly shaped with no visible internal structure. The experiment allows comparison of the distinct characteristics of these two fundamental plant tissue types.

Uploaded by

Nikita Kutum
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPERIMENT NO.

AIM:-To study parenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues in plants by preparing temporary slides.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:- Tender stem of a herb (balsam/Tridax/Petunia/any cultivated ornamental herb or


wild plant), safranin stain solution, dilute glycerine, chart of transverse section of stem, compound
microscope, razor blade, slide, cover slip, brush, petri dish, and a piece of blotting paper.

THEORY:- Flowering plants are structurally complex as they are made up of different parts like roots, stem,
leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. Each part is in turn an assembly of different types of tissues. Each tissue type has
specific structure and performs a particular function. Plant tissues are broadly classified into meristematic and
permanent tissues. Permanent tissues may be simple, permanent tissues like parenchyma, collenchyma and
sclerenchyma. Complex permanent tissues are xylem and phloem. The structural features of tissues like wall
characteristics, cell size, lumen size, and cytoplasmic contents are different in different tissues.

PROCEDURE:- A. Making a temporary slide

1. Cut a tender stem of any of the above-mentioned plants into bits of about 3 cm length and place them
in water.
2. Hold a piece between the thumb and forefinger in your left hand as shown in Fig. 1 (a).
3. Pass a wet blade across the stem in quick motion so as to get a thin, unbroken, circular cross section of
the material [Fig. 1 (b) and (c)].
4. Repeat the process to get about fifteen transverse sections of the material.
5. Transfer the sections to a petri dish containing water. Select a thin, transparent section and with a
brush transfer it to a drop of water taken on a slide. Add three drops of dilute safranin stain solution to
the section and leave it for about five minutes.
6. Blot the excess stain. Add three drops of dilute glycerine on the stained section. Place a cover slip on it.
Focus it under the low power of microscope and observe the section.
7. Now focus the section under high power and observe again. Note and record your observations.
8. Starting from the outermost layer, locate the epidermis, cortex and vascular tissues [Fig.2(a) and (b)].
compare the layers with the diagram in the chart.
9. In the layers of cells beginning from epidermis, observe the following features–
a. Cell wall thin/thick;
b. Arrangement compact/loose;
c. Shape of cell circular/oval/rectangular/polygonal;
d. Intercellular spaces present/absent;
e. Lumen (cell cavity) small/large;
f. Nucleus present/absent;
g. Staining of cell wall deeply stained/mildly stained/no stain; and
h. Cytoplasm: present/absent

10. Record your observations in the given tabular column.


Fig. 1. (a) Correct way of holding the material: (b) Correct way of holding the razor blade and (c) Cutting the
section

Fig:- Fig. 2 (a) Parenchyma, and (b) sclerenchyma

Observation:-

Sl. no. Features Parenchyma Sclerenchyma


1 Cell wall
2 Arrangement
3 Shape of cell
4 Intercellular space
5 Lumen
6 Nucleus
7 Staining of wall
8 Cytoplasm

RESULT:-
Parenchyma tissue is the most abundant type of tissue in plants. It forms the major bulk of stem, roots, leaves,
fruits and seeds. The tissue is composed of living cells, with various shapes, sizes and functions. The cells
provide mechanical support to the plant body. The parenchyma also acts as a storage tissue for food, air and
water. Cells of sclerenchyma tissue are higly lignified with very thick cell walls and obliterated lumen. Cells are
usually elongated and polygonal in shape in cross-section. The tissue provides the mechanical support and is
found below the epidermis and around the vascular bundles.

PRECAUTIONS:-

• For sectioning, select soft, tender herbaceous stem only. Avoid stems that are hard and woody.
• Take care not to injure your finger while sectioning.
• Always keep the plant materials and sections in water.
• Use dilute safranin stain solution.
• The trachea and tracheids of xylem tissue appear to be very much similar to sclerenchyma and may be
erroneously identified as sclerenchyma tissue. Xylem is always confined to the vascular bundle and is
generally not seen in the cortex or pith.

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