Plant Tissue

A cellular organization between a single cell and a complete organism is controlled by the tissue. They
are the collection of similar cells, with specific function. A collection of tissue gives rise to an organ. A
tissue is a simple, which may be single celled type or a complex cell type.

Definition of Plant Tissue

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.

Plant Tissue Systems

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.

Types of Plant Tissue Systems

There are three types of tissue systems.

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 multi layered structures.

They include cork cells, which are non-living 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 have thick, lignified secondary walls and lack protoplasts at maturity.

They provide strength

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 transports 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.

Types of Plant Tissue

There are two types of tissue systems.

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.

Their cells have 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 cellularenlargement 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.

Plant Tissue Functions

Different types of plant tissue have their own respective functions.

The plant tissue helps in providing mechanical strength to both the internal and external
organs.

They also help in rendering the elasticity and flexibility to the organs.

The tissue also helps in easy bending in various parts of a plant like- leaf, stem and branches
without causing any damages to main plant.

The tissue also helps transportation of materials thorough out the plants and prevents water
loss.

They divide to produce new growth and build the mass of the plants.

They are involved in various cellular metabolisms like photosynthesis, regeneration,

respiration, etc.