CHAPTER – 6

TISSUES
NOTES
 Tissue –
A group of cells similar in structure that work together to perform a
particular function forms a tissue.
Tissues become organized to form organs and organs into organ
systems.
Tissues of Plants and Animals –

Plant Tissues Animal Tissues

1) Plants do not move, so their 1) Animals need more energy as
tissues are predominantly the compared to plants because
ones that provide support to they are not stationary. Their tissues
them so that they can stand are the ones that can support
erect. movement.

2) These tissues are made up of 2) The tissues in case of animals

dead cells because dead cells are made up of living cells so that they
can also provide mechanical can move and perform several
strength to the plants and do functions.
not require much maintenance.
3) Only certain parts of the plant 3) Cells in animals grow uniformly
can grow. and not only in certain regions of the
body.
4) The structure of plant tissues is 4) The organs and organ systems in
not very specialized as animals are highly specialized.
compared to animals
 PLANT TISSUE –
1) Meristematic Tissue –
 Only certain parts of a plant tend to grow. The tissues located in
such parts are called meristematic tissues.
 They have the capability to divide themselves and form new
tissues.
 They have thin cell wall made of cellulose.
 They have dense nucleus and cytoplasm but lack vacuoles.
They can further be classified differently based on the areas of the
plants where they are located –
i) Apical meristem
ii) Lateral meristem
iii) Intercalary meristem

Position of different meristems –

 Apical Lateral Intercalary
Meristem Meristem Meristem
They are They are They are located
present at the present along at the base of
LOCATION – growing tips of the lateral side leaves or on
the roots and of the stems either
stems. and roots. side of nodes
For example: (internodes).
cork
It increases It increases It increases the
FUNCTION – length of the diameter / girth length leaves and
stem and root. of stem or root. internodes.

Why are there no vacuoles in the meristematic cells?

Vacuoles contain sap which provides rigidity to a cell. This property
of vacuoles may not allow the meristem cells to divide and
manufacture new cells. Hence vacuoles are not present in them.
2) Permanent Tissue –
A permanent tissue is a group of cells, which is derived from
the meristematic tissues, but these cells have lost the power of
division temporarily or permanently.

Differentiation – The process by which cells of the meristematic

tissues convert themselves into a permanent tissue by taking a fixed
shape, size and function is called differentiation.

TYPES OF PERMANENT TISSUE –

1) Simple Permanent Tissue – These tissues are composed of
cells which are structurally and functionally similar (consists of one
type of cells).
They are of following types:
1) Parenchyma (for storage)
2) Collenchyma (for support)
3) Sclerenchyma (for strength and structural support)
4) Epidermis (for protection)

2) Complex Permanent Tissue – The complex permanent tissue

consists of more than one type of cells having a common origin.
All these cells coordinate to perform a common function.
Complex tissues are of two types:
1) Xylem
2) Phloem
 Comparative features of types of simple permanent tissue –
Parenchyma Collenchyma Sclerenchyma
The parenchyma is This tissue is This tissue is present in
present present in leaf stems, around vascular
in all the organs of the stalks below the bundles, in the veins of
plants, i.e., roots, stems, epidermis. leaves and in the hard
LOCATION
leaves, flowers, fruit and covering of seeds and
seeds, forms basic packing nuts.
tissue of plant. Husk of coconut is
made of
sclerenchymatous tissue
The cells of this tissue are The cells of this The cells of this tissue
living, isodiametric with tissue are living, are dead, long and
CELL thin walls. elongated and narrow as the walls are
STRUCTURE irregularly thickened due to lignin.
thickened at the
corners.
The parenchyma cells They have a little The cells do not have
INTER have large intercellular intercellular any
CELLULAR spaces between them. space intercellular spaces
SPACE in between
them.
1. Storage of food and 1. It provides the 1. These tissues are
nutrients in root and stem. mechanical responsible for
2. If chloroplast is support, making plants hard
present, the parenchyma flexibility and and stiff.
tissue is called elasticity to the
chlorenchyma and it plants organs. 2. Provide mechanical
FUNCTION performs photosynthesis. strength to the plant
3. In aquatic plants, large 2. It allows easy parts.
air cavities are present bending in
in parenchyma to give various
buoyancy to the plants parts of the plant
to help them float. Such (leaf, stem)
parenchyma type is without
called aerenchyma. breaking.
Epidermis (Protective Tissue) –
Structure –
It is the outermost protective layer of plant which covers the entire
plant.
The cells are flat with no intercellular spaces between them.
The outer and side walls of the epidermal cells are thick than the
inner walls.

Function –
1) In places with less water, the epidermis of the plants can become
thick in order to avoid frequent water loss.
2) The epidermal cells often have long hair-like structures in roots
which increase surface area to facilitate the absorption of water.
3) Epidermis protect the plants from fungi, water loss and any
mechanical injuries by secreting a wax-like water-resistant
substance called cutin on the surface of the plants.
4) Stomata
Stomata are pore-like structures that are present in the epidermis of
the leaves.
Stomata are enclosed by two kidney shaped cells called guard cells.
They are responsible for the exchange of gases and transpiration.

Why do plants in desert areas have a waxy coating of cutin over

them?
The epidermis cells of plants that are found in deserts have a waxy
coating of cutin over them because it prevents water loss from the
plants surface since water is already scarce in such areas.
Cork –
 Cork cells are dead, compactly arranged and are without
intercellular spaces.
 They appear at the periphery of roots and stems when they grow
older and increase in girth.
 They also have a chemical called suberin in their walls that makes
them impervious to gases and water.

Functions –
It protects plants from external injury and infection.
It also prevents desiccation.
Since cork does not catch fire easily, it is used for insulation,
shock-absorber.
It is also used for making sports goods, such as shuttle-cock, table
tennis paddles, cricket balls, etc.
Complex Permanent Tissue –
Xylem and phloem are both conducting tissues and also known as
vascular tissues; together both of them constitute vascular bundles

Xylem –
It consists of following 4 elements –
1. Tracheids (dead) –
2. Vessels (dead) – They (tracheids and vessels) both are tubular
structures which transport water and minerals vertically in the
plants.
3. Xylem Parenchyma (living) – It stores food and helps in
sideways conduction of water.
4. Xylem Fibers (dead) – They are supportive in function.

Phloem –
It allows the movement of food from leaves to other parts of the
plant. It has the following 4 elements –
1. Sieve Tubes (living) – Sieve tubes are slender, tube like
structures with perforated walls.
2. Companion Cells (living) – Companion cells lying on the sides
of the sieve tubes. They facilitate the functions of the sieve tubes.
3. Phloem parenchyma (living) – It stores starch and proteins.
4. Phloem Fibers (dead) – They are supportive in function.
 Xylem Phloem
Made up of More Dead Cells More Living Cells
Cell Wall Thickness Thick Thin
Cell Wall Material Lignin (rigid) Celluloses
Permeability Impermeable Permeable
Cytoplasm None Cytoplasm lining
Transports Water & minerals Food
Carried to Leaves Growing parts &
storage organs
Direction of flow Upwards Up & down
 ANIMAL TISSUE –

1) Epithelial Tissue –

Structure –
 They are the protective tissues of the human body.
 They cover many organs and cavities that are present inside the
body.
 Cells in epithelial tissue are tightly packed and make a continuous
sheet with no intercellular space.
 They are separated from other tissues by fibrous basement
membrane.
 Skin, inner lining of mouth, linings of blood vessels, lung alveoli and
kidney tubules are all made of epithelium.
 Functions –
1) It keeps different organs separate.
2) Epithelium being permeable, regulates exchange of materials
between the body and the external environment and also between
different parts of the body.
3) It protects the organs which it covers.
4) In certain cases, it secretes and acts as glands.
TYPES OF EPITHELIUM –

Simple Stratified Columnar Ciliated Cuboidal Glandular

Squamous Squamous Columnar
Columnar Epithelial
epithelial cells folds
Extremely thin Cells are It consists tissues They are inwards to
and flat cells, arranged in of tall, which have cube-shaped
make
forms a delicate several layers cylindrical Cilia cells
multicellular
Structure lining cells (hair like
glands
projection)
present on
their outer
surface
Found in 1. Lung Alveoli Skin Inner lining Respiratory 1. Lining 1. Sweat
2. Blood vessels of intestine tract of Kidney Glands in the
lining tubules skin
3. Oesophagus 2. Duct of 2. Salivary
4. Inner lining salivary
glands in
of mouth glands
mouth
Function Facilitate Prevent wear Facilitate Cilia pushes Provide Secrete
transportation and tear absorption the mucus mechanical substances
of substances and secretion of support
respiratory
tract
forward to
clear it
 Simple Stratified Columnar Ciliated Cuboidal Glandular
Squamous Squamous Columnar
2) Connective Tissue –
 They are loosely bound cells present in an intercellular Matrix.
 This matrix can be of different types – Dense, Rigid, Fluid or Jelly-
like depending upon the functions of the connective tissue.

Examples of Connective Tissues –

1)Blood
2)Bone, Cartilage
3)Ligaments, Tendons
4)Areolar
5)Adipose
1. Blood

2. Bone and Cartilage

Bone Cartilage

1. Forms the framework of 1. Present in the nose, ear,

body, anchors the muscles trachea, larynx and
and supports organs of the smoothens bone surfaces at
body. joints.
2. Inflexible 2. Flexible, can be bent.
3. Cells are embedded in hard 3. Cells are embedded in soft
matrix. matrix.
4. Cells are compactly arranged. 4. Cells are widely spaced.
5. Matrix is made of calcium and 5. Matrix is made of proteins
phosphorus. and sugars.
3. Ligament and Tendon

Ligament Tendon
1. Ligament connect two bones 1. Tendon connect bones to
2. Very elastic muscles.
3. Considerable strength 2. Have limited flexibility.
4. Contain little matrix 3. Have great strength.
4. Contain more matrix
4. Areolar Tissue
Areolar Tissue
1. Between skin and underlying muscles.
Location – 2. Around blood vessels, around nerves.
3. In the bone marrow.
Function – 1. It fills space inside internal organs and
supports them.
2. Helps in repair of tissue

5. Adipose Tissue –
Adipose Tissue
Location – 1. Below the skin.
2. Between internal organs.
1. It stores fat.
Function – 2. It provides cushioning to internal organs.
3. Gives shape.
4. Acts as insulator and protects from cold.

3) Muscular Tissue –
It is made up of muscle fibers which are long cells.
It allows movements in our body.
They contain special proteins called Contractile Proteins. These
proteins cause contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
 Striated Muscles Unstriated Cardiac Muscles
(Skeletal Muscles) Muscles (Heart Muscles)
(Smooth Muscles)
1. Long, cylindrical 1. Short,
cells 1. Spindle shaped cylindrical cells
2. Light and dark cells 2. Faint, light and
bands present. 2. Light and dark dark bands are
3. Multinucleated bands absent present.
4. Voluntary by 3. Uninucleated 3. Uninucleated
nature 4. Involuntary 4. Involuntary
5. Unbranched 5. Unbranched 5. Branched

For Example: For example:

Muscles of our hands For example: Found in the heart
and legs help in body 1) Muscles in
movements. the alimentary
canal
2) The Iris of
our eyes.
3) In Ureters
4) Bronchi of lung
4) Nervous Tissue –
• Nervous tissues are found in nerves, brain, and spinal cord.
• The Nervous tissue is made up of cells called the Nerve Cells or
Neurons.
• These neurons connect together to form the nerves of our body.
• A neuron consists of a cell body (cyton) with a nucleus and
cytoplasm from which numerous hair like structures arise called
dendrites.
• One long extension is called Axon.
• A nerve cell can be up to 1 m long.
• Neurons are connected end to end to form nerves through
connective tissue

Functions:
• They give us ability to respond to stimuli.
• They transmit information from body parts to brain.
• They transmit orders from brain to body parts.
• Nervous and muscular tissue together control body movement in
all animals.

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