Plant Tissues
A collection of cells performing a specific function is called tissue.
Plant tissues can be grouped into plant tissue systems each
performing specialized functions. A plant tissue system is defined as
a functional unit, connecting all organs of a plant. Plant tissue system
is also grouped into various tissues based on their functions.
Types of Plant Tissues
Plant tissues can be broadly classified based on the ability of the cells
to divide into Meristematic tissue and Permanent tissues.
Meristematic tissues -consist of a group of cells that have the ability
to divide. These tissues are small, cuboidal, densely packed cells
which keep dividing to form new cells. These tissues are capable of
stretching, enlarging and differentiating into other types of tissues as
they mature. Meristematic tissues give rise to permanent tissues.
Meristematic tissues can be of three types depending on the region
where they are present: Apical meristems, lateral meristems, and
intercalary meristems.
Permanent tissues are derived from the meristematic tissues and
have lost their ability to divide. They have attained their mature form.
They are further classified into two types: Simple and complex
permanent tissues.
Permanent Tissues
The permanent tissues form the major portion of the plant.
Simple Permanent tissues
Parenchyma– These tissues are found in the soft parts of a plant
such as the roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The cells of this tissue
are loosely packed and contain large intercellular spaces between
them. Each cell has a vacuole at the center. The functions of
parenchyma tissues are storage, photosynthesis and to help the
plant float on water.
Collenchyma- Are similar to parenchyma cells with thicker cell
walls. They are meant to provide mechanical support to the plant
structure in parts such as petiole of the leaf.
Sclerenchyma- The cells of this tissue are dead. They are rigid,
contain thick and lignified secondary walls. Their main function is
to provide strength and support to parts of the plant.
Complex Permanent Tissue
Unlike simple permanent cells which look the same and are made up
of one type of cells, complex permanent tissues are made up of more
than one type of cells. These different types of cells coordinate to
perform a function. Xylem and Phloem are complex permanent
tissues and are found in the vascular bundles in the plants.
Xylem- It consists of tracheids, vessels, xylem
parenchyma and xylem fibres. Tracheids and vessels are hollow tube-
like structures that help in conducting water and minerals. The xylem
conducts only in one direction i.e, vertically. The xylem parenchyma
is responsible for storing the prepared food and assists in the
conduction of water. Xylem fibres are supportive in function.
Phloem- It consists of four of elements: sieve tubes, companion cells,
phloem fibres and the phloem parenchyma. Unlike the xylem,
phloem conducts in both directions. It is responsible for transporting
food from the leaves to the other parts of the plant. Phloem contains
living tissues except for fibres that are dead tissues.
Functions of plant tissues
Plant tissues have different functions depending upon their structure and
location
Help provide mechanical strength to organs.
They help in providing the elasticity and flexibility to the organs.
They help the tissues to bend easily in various parts of a plant
like- leaf, stem, and branches without damaging the plant
The xylem and phloem tissues help in transportation of material
throughout the plants
They divide to produce new cells and help in the growth of the
plants.
They help in various cellular metabolisms like photosynthesis,
regeneration, respiration etc.
Types of vascular bundles.
There are mainly three types of vascular bundles:
(i) Radial: Those in which the xylem and the phloem lie radically
side-by-side (for example, in roots of seed plants). This is the most
primitive type.
(ii) Conjoint: Those in which the two types of tissues are separated
from one another. Here xylem and phloem together form a bundle.
The two sub-types are collateral and bicollateral.
(a) Collateral: The xylem and phloem lie together on the same
radius in such a position that xylem lies inwards and the phloem
outwards. Here the phloem occurs on one side of the xylem strand.
In the dicotyledonous stem, the cambium is found to be present in
between xylem and phloem, such bundles are called open (for
example, in Helianthus) and when the cambium is absent, it is
called closed (for example, in monocotyledonous stems).
(b) Bicollateral: In such bundles, the phloem is found to be present
on both sides of xylem. Simultaneously two cambium strips also
occur. Various elements are arranged in the following sequence-
outer phloem, outer cambium, xylem, inner cambium and inner
phloem. Such bundles are commonly found in the members of
Cucurbitaceae. Such bundles are always open.
(iii) Concentric: Those in which one type of tissue surrounds or
ensheaths the other. The concentric bundles may be of two
subtypes, amphivasal bundle as found in Dracaena., Yucca and
other monocots and some dicots. If the phloem surrounds the
xylem, it is amphicribal as found in many ferns. Such bundles are
always closed.
