A plant tissue can be defined as a cell or a group of cells
dividing, to give rise to large number of cell, which is
collectively referred as tissues. They are structurally and
functionally similar to these cells.
Plants do have a higher level of structure called plant
tissue systems. A plant tissue system can be defined as a
functional unit, which connects all organs of a plant. Like
animal tissue system, plant tissue system is also grouped into
various tissues based on their functions.
DERMAL TISSUE
They are the tissues, which covers the external part of the
herbaceous plants.
They are composed of epidermal cells, which secrete the
waxy cuticle.
Waxy cuticles are responsible for protecting plants against
water loss.
Dermal tissue consists of Epidermis and periderm.
Epidermis
They are the outermost layer of the primary plant body,
which covers roots, stems, leaves, floral parts, fruits and
seeds.
They are one layer thick with cuticle.
They are composed mostly of unspecialized cells-
parenchyma and sclerenchyma.
They include trichomes, stomata, buIIiform ceIIs, etc.
Periderm
They are the outermost layer of stems and roots of woody
plants such as trees. They are also called as barks.
They replace epidermis in plants that undergo secondary
growth.
They are multilayered structures.
They include cork cells, which are nonliving cells that
cover the outside of stems and roots.
The periderm protects the plant from injuries, pathogens
and also from excessive water loss.
Ground Tissue
They synthesize the organic compounds and support the plants
by storing the produced products.
They are composed of parenchyma cells and also include
collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells.
Parenchyma
They are the general cells of plants, which are circular in shape
and have very thin wall.They are present in all plant cells.
They have very large vacuoles and are frequently found in all
roots, stem, leaves and in fruits
Parenchyma cells help in synthesizing and storage of
synthesized food products.
Parenchyma cells also controls plant's metabolism like
photosynthesis, respiration, protein synthesis.
They also play a vital role in wound healing and regeneration of
plants.
Collenchyma
Collenchymas are a specialized parenchyma tissue, which are
found in all green parts.
Collenchyma cells are elongated with unevenly thickened walls.
They are alive during the cell maturity.
Collenchyma cells controls the functions of young plants.
A collenchyma cell provides a support to plants by not
restraining growth, which is caused due to their absence of
secondary walls and hardening agent in their primary walls.
Sclerenchyma
They are rigid, non-living cells. They provide strength
They have thick, lignified secondary walls and lack protoplasts at
maturity.
A sclerenchyma cell also provides a support to plants with the
help of hardening agent present in their cells.
Sclerenchyma cells are of two types:
Sclereids: They are short, irregular in shape and have thick,
lignified secondary walls
Fibers: They are long, slender and are arranged in threads.
Vascular Tissues
They are specialized cells with transport of water,
hormone and minerals throughout the plant.
They contain transfer cells, fibers in addition to xylem,
phloem, parenchyma, cambium and other conducting
cells.
They are located in the veins of the Leaves.
Xylem
The term xylem is derived from the Greek word meaning
wood.
They are dead with hollow cells, which consist of only cell
wall.
They play a vital role in transporting water and dissolved
nutrients from the roots to all parts of a plant.
They transport the nutrients in the upward direction .i.e.
from the root to the stem, leaves and flower.
Xylem is also called as water-conducting cells.
Phloem
The term phloem is derived from the Greek word meaning
bark.
They are live cells, which lack nucleus and other
organelles.
They transport dissolved organic food materials (sugars)
from the leaves to all parts of a plant.
They transport the nutrients in the downward direction .i.e.
from the leaves to the different parts of the plant.
Phloem is also called as sugar-conducting cells.
Meristematic Tissues
Meristematic tissues are group of cells, which have the ability to
divide. This tissue consists of small, cubodial densely packed cells,
which keeps on dividing to form new cells. These tissues are capable
of stretching, enlarging and differentiate into other types of tissues as
they mature. Meristematic tissues give rise to permanent tissues.
General characteristics of Meristematic tissues
They have very small cells with thin cell walls and large nuclei.
Their cells have very small vacuoles and they lack intercellular
spaces.
They remain young forever and divide actively throughout the life
of the plant.
In plants, these tissues are found in the -Tips of roots, stems,
nodes of stems, buds, in between the xylem and phloem, under
the epidermis of dicotyledonous plants and also producing
branch roots.
Kinds of Meristematic tissues
Apical meristems : They are found at the tip of stems and roots.
During the cell division, this meristem helps in
cellular enlargement and also it influence the shapes of the
mature plants.
Lateral meristems : They are found along the sides of roots and
stems .They play a vital role in increasing the width or diameter
of stems and roots.
Intercallary meristems : They are found at the bases of
young leaves and internodes. They are mainly responsible for
further lengthening of stems and leaves.
Permanent Tissues
The tissues, which are derived from the
Meristematic tissues, are called as permanent
tissues. They are the tissues, which have lost their
ability to divide as they have attained their mature
form.
Kinds of Permanent Tissues
Simple permanent tissue: They are the tissues,
which are similar in function and are called as
simple because they are composed of similar
types of cells, which have common origin and
function.
Complex permanent tissue: They are the
tissues, which are composed of two or more
types of cells but contribute to a common
function are called complex tissues.
