PLANT TISSUE

Tissues are groups of similar cells adapted for a par2cular func2on. There are FOUR types of
plant 2ssues:

Plants are typically made up of roots, stems and leaves. Plant 2ssues can be broadly
categorized into dividing, meristema2c 2ssue or non-dividing, permanent 2ssue. Permanent
2ssue is made up of simple and complex 2ssues.

● Epidermal 2ssue
● Ground 2ssue Permanent
● Vascular 2ssue
● Meristema2c 2ssue Temporary

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It is important that for each 2ssue type you understand:
● Where it is located
● What its key structural features are and how these relate to func2on
● How each 2ssue type looks under the microscope
● How to draw biological diagrams of each structure

EPIDERMAL TISSUE

The epidermis is a single layer of cells that are the protec4ve covering of roots,
stems and leaves. They offer the plant protec2on against drying out, mechanical
injury, and acts as a barrier to fungi and other microorganisms i.e pathogens.

Structure
Single layers of cells, with no
intercellular spaces covering the
surface of the en2re plant.
Layer is thin and transparent
Epidermal 2ssues in leaves and stems
are covered with a waxy cu2cle
Might have small hairs on leaves,
called trichomes
Roots does not have cu2cles
Click: Microscope-Onion - OpenSciEd
Func4on
Acts as a barrier to fungi and other
microorganisms and pathogens.
Allow light to pass through, for
photosynthesis in the 2ssues below
Prevents water loss from leaves
Leaf trichomes trap water in the area
above stomata and helps prevent
water loss
Allows for the absorp2on of water
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Epidermal cells on the surface of the leaf and stem
Lets play scien2st: Virtual Microscope
SPECIALIZED EPIDERMAL CELL:
❖ STOMATA
Structure
Consists of TWO guard cells- thin outer
walls and thick inner walls
Contains many chloroplasts
Function
Enables it to open and close for
gaseous exchange and transpiration
(controlled water loss)
Photosynthesis helps to change water
potential of vacuole so stomata can
open in daylight and close at night.
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 ❖ ROOT HAIR

Structure Function
Root hairs are elongations of epidermal Root hairs maximize the surface area
cells in the root over which absorption of water from the
soil can occur.
No cuticle Allow water to enter

Click: Root Hair Cell Quiz

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 GROUND TISSUE

Ground 4ssue forms most of the mass of the plant. It is found between the epidermal and
vascular 2ssue. It is oSen referred to as “packing 2ssue.” There are THREE types of ground
2ssue:
1. Parenchyma (including chlorenchyma)
2. Collenchyma
3. Sclerenchyma

1. Parenchyma

Parenchyma forms the basic 2ssue of the plant. It forms the majority of stems and roots as
well as soS fruit like tomatoes and grapes. It is the most common type of ground 2ssue

Structure Func4on
Thin-walled cells Rapid diffusion between cells and close
packaging.
Large intercellular spaces Allow diffusion of gases and water
Large vacuoles Store water and manufactured food.
Support through turgor pressure
Specialized parenchyma cells known as Photosynthesis and storage of starch
chlorenchyma found in plant leaves contain
chloroplasts

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1.1 Chlorenchyma

Specialized parenchyma cells with chloroplasts. Located in the middle of leaf, there are two
types of chlorenchyma cells namely the palisade parenchyma which is found just
underneath the epidermis and spongy parenchyma which is found just underneath the
palisade mesophyll

Structure
Palisade parenchyma or mesophyll-
elongated, ver2cally arranged, just
underneath epidermis contains many
chloroplasts
Spongy parenchyma or mesophyll- round
loosely packed, under palisade, large
intercellular air spaces and chambers, large
vacuoles, chloroplasts
Func4on
Maximum cells exposed to sunlight for
photosynthesis
Photosynthesis, store food manufactured by
photosynthesis, diffusion of water and gases
for photosynthesis.

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 2. Collenchyma

Collenchyma is a simple, permanent 2ssue typically found in the shoots and leaves of
plants. Collenchyma cells are thin-walled but the corners of the cell wall are thickened with
cellulose. This 2ssue gives strength, par2cularly in growth shoots and leaves due to the
thickened corners. The cells are 2ghtly packed and have fewer intercellular spaces.

Structure
Corners of cell walls are thickened, with
cellulose and pec2n deposits
Cells are thin walled on most sides
No intercellular spaces
Func4on
This provides mechanical strength
Provides flexibility, allowing the plant ot
bend in the wind
This allows for close packaging to provide
structural support

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 3. Sclerenchyma

Dead cells which strengthen and support. They are found in stems, roots, leaves and fruits.
They form the structure of seed coats and nut shells.

Structure Func4ons
Fibers are dead and have lignified secondary This provides mechanical strength and
cell walls structural support
Sclereids have strong walls which fill nearly Provides the hardness of fruits like pears
the en2re volume of the cell (grains). These structures are used to
protect other cells like phloem

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 Ac2vity 1

1. Iden2fy each type of 2ssue listed in the table. Use the terms below.

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 VASCULAR TISSUE

Vascular Tissue forms a con2nuous set of tubes that run the en2re length of the plant,
transpor2ng food and water. There are two types of vascular 2ssue:
1. xylem
2. phloem
Xylem transports water from the roots upwards to the stem and leaves. It is also used for
support
Phloem transports dissolved food from the leaves downwards to the stems and roots.

1. Xylem

Xylem has the dual func2on of suppor2ng the plant and transpor2ng water and dissolved
mineral salts from the roots to the stems and leaves. Xylem is made up of long cells
arranged end to end called xylem vessels and tracheids. The vessels and tracheids are non-
living at maturity and are hollow to allow the transport of water. Both vessels and tracheids
have lignin in their secondary walls, which provides addi2onal strength and support.

Structure Func4on
Long thin, con2nuous tubes Effec2ve transport of water and minerals
from roots to leaves
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Dead cells: no protoplasm
Thick, lignified walls
Pits in cell walls
Living parenchyma cells in between xylem
No obstruc2on to water transport
Support the plant and are strong enough to
resist the suc2on force of transpira2on pull,
so they do not collapse.
Allow lateral water transport to neighboring
cells
Form vascular rays for water transport to
the cortex of the stem
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2. Phloem

Phloem is made up of sieve tubes and companion cells. Its func2on is to transport
dissolved sugars from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

Structure Func4on
Sieve tubes

Sieve tubes with sieve plates
Sieve tube elements are long conduc2ng
cells with cellulose cell walls
They are living cells with no nucleus or
organelles such as vacuoles or ribosomes
Companion cells
Con2nuous tubes for the transport of
organic food produced by photosynthesis
from the leaves to the roots
Form good conduc2ng tubes over long
distances. Allows for transfer over a large
area.
Allows for more space to transport sap. It is
also why sieve elements need companion
cells to carry out all cellular func2ons.

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Contain large number of ribosomes and
mitochondria
Has many plasmodesmata (intercellular
connec2ons) in the wall acached to the
sieve tube
Due to absence of organelles or nucleus in
sieve tube, companion cells perform cellular
func2ons of sieve tubes
Allows transfer of sap (containing dissolved
sugars) over a large area

Ac2vity 3

2. Answer the following ques2ons:

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MOVE TO NEXT PACK: Transport of water and sugar in plants - Anima2on

MERISTEMATIC TISSUE

Meristema2c 2ssue is undifferen2ated 2ssue that is responsible for growth in plants and is
found at the 2ps of roots and stems. It makes the root or stem grow longer by the process
of mitosis, the cells are ac2vely dividing and forms other 2ssues e.g vascular, dermal or
ground 2ssue. There are TWO types of meristema2c 2ssues:

1. Apical meristems
The apical meristems are located at the growing points at the 2ps of roots and stems and
result in an increase in the length of these structures.

2. Lateral meristems
Lateral meristems result in the growth in thickness or width in roots and stems. This 2ssue
is also called cambium. Vascular cambium divides to make more xylem and phloem 2ssue.

Structure Func4on

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Large amount of cytoplasm and a large
nucleus
Vacuoles are very small or completely
absent
Cells are small and spherical
The lack of organelles is a feature of an
undifferen2ated cell. Large amounts of
nuclear material contains the DNA
necessary for division and differen2a2on.
Vacuoles provide rigidity to cells thus
preven2ng rapid division.
This allows for close packaging if a large
number of cells.

Ac2vity 4
1. Name the type of 2ssue, and state a reason for you answer:

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a. __________________________
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b. __________________________
__________________________
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__________________________

c. __________________________
__________________________
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__________________________

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 d. __________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

e. __________________________
__________________________
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__________________________

SUMMARY:
TISSUE TYPES FUNCTION
Meristematic Undifferentiated plant cells.
Apical Found on the tip of shoots and
roots, length growth.
Lateral Cambium (between xylem and
phloem), secondary growth,
thickening.
Permanent Differentiated tissue.

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Epidermis Single, brick shaped layer, cover
surface area, transparent, cuticle.
Root hair Single cell, thin walled,
absorption of water.
Stomata Two guard cells, contains
chloroplasts, gaseous exchange.
Parenchyma With chloroplast (Chlorenchyma).
Large, thin walled, large
vacuoles, intercellular air spaces.
Sclerenchyma Evenly thickened cell walls
(lignin), dead cells- stems.
Collenchyma Unevenly thickened (cellulose),
corners thick- herbaceous stems.
Vascular Xylem Vessels and tracheids, lignin, has
pits. Transports water and mineral
salts from roots to leaves.
Phloem Sieve plates, companion cells.
Transports organic food
substances from leaves to roots.

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