TISSUES

Cells are connected by plasmodesmata.

The study of tissue is called Histology or Microanatomy.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following tissues has dead cells?

(a) Parenchyma

(b) Sclerenchyma

(c) Collenchyma

(d) Epithelial tissue

Soln:

Answer is (b) Sclerenchyma

Explanation:

Parenchyma

Living tissues with thin cell wall with central vacuole and dense cytoplasm. Parenchyma cells are
located in the soft parts of the plants such as pith and cortex.

Sclerenchyma

These are dead tissues which have thick cell wall due to deposition of lignin. They are generally
located in the leaf veins, hard coverings of the seeds and can also be found surrounding the vascular
bundle.

Collenchyma

Living tissues which have an elongated shape and thick cell wall in the corner. Collenchyma tissue can
be located in the leaf stalks, below the epidermis, etc.

Epithelial tissues

Epithelial tissues are covering or protective tissues in the animal body. Almost all organs and cavities
are covered by Epithelium.

2. Find out incorrect sentence

(a) Parenchymatous tissues have intercellular spaces

(b) Collenchymatous tissues are irregularly thickened at corners

(c) Apical and intercalary meristems are permanent tissues

(d) Meristematic tissues, in its early stage, lack vacuoles

Soln:
Answer is (c) Apical and intercalary meristems are permanent tissues

Explanation:

Meristematic tissues are dividing tissue. They are not specialised to perform a specific function. They
are responsible for the growth of plants. When meristematic tissue takes up a specific role and loses
its ability to divide, it becomes a permanent tissue. Hence, the statement “Apical and Intercalary
meristem are permanent tissue” is wrong.

3. The girth of stem increases due to

(a) apical meristem

(b) lateral meristem

(c) intercalary meristem

(d) vertical meristem

Soln

Answer is (b) lateral meristem

4. Which cell does not have perforated cell wall?

(a) Tracheids

(b) Companion cells

(c) Sieve tubes

(d) Vessels

Soln

Answer is (a) Tracheids

5. Intestine absorbs the digested food materials. What type of epithelial cells are responsible for
that?

(a) Stratified squamous epithelium

(b) Columnar epithelium

(c) Spindle fibres

(d) Cuboidal epithelium

Soln:

Answer is (b) Columnar epithelium

Explanation:

The columnar epithelium is pillar-like cells which have nuclei towards their base. Columnar
epithelium forms the lining of the stomach, small intestine and colon, forming the mucous
membrane. They facilitate movement across the epithelial barrier. Their main function is absorption
and secretion.
6. A person met with an accident in which two long bones of hand were dislocated. Which among
the following may be the possible reason?

(a) Tendon break

(b) Break of skeletal muscle

(c) Ligament break

(d) Areolar tissue break

Soln:

Answer is (c) Ligament break

Explanation:

Dislocation of bones occurs when joints held by ligaments get separated.

Tendons join skeletal muscle and they cause inflammation upon a break.

Break of skeletal muscle cannot be the reason for bone dislocation as bones are joined by ligaments.

Areolar tissues are found around muscles, nerves and blood vessels hence they are not connected
with bone dislocation.

7. While doing work and running, you move your organs like hands, legs etc. Which among the
following is correct?

(a) Smooth muscles contract and pull the ligament to move the bones

(b) Smooth muscles contract and pull the tendons to move the bones

(c) Skeletal muscles contract and pull the ligament to move the bones

(d) Skeletal muscles contract and pull the tendon to move the bones

Soln:

Answer is (d) Skeletal muscles contract and pull the tendon to move the bones

Explanation:

While doing work and running, you move your organs like hands, legs etc, skeletal muscles contract
and they pull the tendon, connecting muscles to bones. This will help bones to move and they do not
pull the ligament as that will cause a sprain or stretch.

8. Which muscles act involuntarily?

(i) Striated muscles

(ii) Smooth muscles

(iii) Cardiac muscles

(iv) Skeletal muscles

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (iii) and (iv)

(d) (i) and (iv)

Soln:

Answer is (b) (ii) and (iii)

Explanation:

Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles which are also striated muscles hence the answer should be
cardiac muscles which are smooth muscles.

9. Meristematic tissues in plants are

(a) localised and permanent

(b) not limited to certain regions

(c) localised and dividing cells

(d) growing in volume

Soln:

Answer is (c) localised and dividing cells

Explanation:

Meristematic tissues in plants are the dividing cells, which are responsible for plant growth in certain
specific region. Meristematic tissues are classified as apical, lateral and intercalary based on their
location.

10. Which is not a function of epidermis?

(a) Protection from adverse condition

(b) Gaseous exchange

(c) Conduction of water

(d) Transpiration

Soln:

Answer is (c) Conduction of water

Explanation:

Conduction of water is a function of xylem tissue whereas protection, gaseous exchange and
transpiration are the function of epidermis.

11. Select the incorrect sentence

(a) Blood has matrix containing proteins, salts and hormones

(b) Two bones are connected with ligament

(c) Tendons are non-fibrous tissue and fragile

(d) Cartilage is a form of connective tissue

Soln:

Answer is Tendons are non-fibrous tissue and fragile.

Explanation:

Tendons are fibrous tissues which are highly elastic and strong.

12. Cartilage is not found in

(a) nose

(b) ear

(c) kidney

(d) larynx

Soln:

Answer is (c) kidney

Explanation

Cartilage is a connective tissue which provides support and flexibility to various parts of our body.
Cartilage is found in nose, ear, larynx but not in kidney.

Renal tubules and corpuscles in the kidney are formed by Cuboidal epithelium tissue.

13. Fats are stored in human body as

(a) cuboidal epithelium

(b) adipose tissue

(c) bones

(d) cartilage

Soln:

Answer is (b) adipose tissue

Explanation:

Adipose tissue present below the skin and between internal organs stores fat. Cells in these tissues
are filled with fat globules. Fat storage acts as an insulator.

14. Bone matrix is rich in

(a) fluoride and calcium

(b) calcium and phosphorus

(c) calcium and potassium

(d) phosphorus and potassium

Soln:
Answer is (b) calcium and phosphorus

15. Contractile proteins are found in

(a) bones

(b) blood

(c) muscles

(d) cartilage

Soln:

Answer is (c) muscles

Explanation:

Muscles cells have contractile proteins in them. These proteins are responsible for the contraction
and relaxation of muscles.

16. Voluntary muscles are found in

(a) alimentary canal

(b) limbs

(c) iris of the eye

(d) bronchi of lungs

Soln:

Answer is (b) limbs

Explanation:

We can move some muscles on our own will. Muscles present in our limbs can move at our will and
stop when we so decide. Such muscles are called voluntary muscles. On the other hand, alimentary
canal, iris of the eye and bronchi of lungs has involuntary muscles.

17. Nervous tissue is not found in

(a) brain

(b) spinal cord

(c) tendons

(d) nerves

Soln:

Answer is (c) tendons

Explanation:

Connective tissue which connects muscles to bones is tendons. They are fibrous in nature and give
strength and limited flexibility.
18. Nerve cell does not contain

(a) axon

(b) nerve endings

(c) tendons

(d) dendrites

Soln:

Answer is(c) tendons

Explanation:

Neurons do not contain tendons as they are connective tissues that join skeletal muscles to bones.

19. Which of the following helps in repair of tissue and fills up the space inside the organ?

(a) Tendon

(b) Adipose tissue

(c) Areolar

(d) Cartilage

Soln:

Answer is (c) Areolar

Explanation:

Areolar connective tissue is found between the skin and muscles, around blood vessels and nerves
and in the bone marrow. It fills the space inside the organs, supports internal organs and helps in the
repair of tissues.

Areolar tissue located between the skin and muscles, around blood vessels and nerves and in the
bone marrow. Areolar tissue fills the space inside the organs and supports internal organs and helps
in the repair of tissue.

20. The muscular tissue which functions throughout the life continuously without fatigue is

(a) skeletal muscle

(b) cardiac muscle

(c) smooth muscle

(d) voluntary muscle

Soln:

Answer is (b) cardiac muscle

Explanation:
Heart muscles are cylindrical, branched and uninucleated which shows rhythmic contraction and
relaxation throughout life. Skeletal muscle, smooth muscle and voluntary muscles work as and when
required.

21. Which of the following cells is found in the cartilaginous tissue of the body?

(a) Mast cells

(b) Basophils

(c) Osteocytes

(d) Chondrocytes

Soln:

Answer is (d) Chondrocytes

Explanation

Mast cells are found in areolar tissue.

Basophils are found in blood

Osteocytes are found in bone.

22. The dead element present in the phloem is

(a) companion cells

(b) phloem fibres

(c) phloem parenchyma

(d) sieve tubes

Soln:

Answer is (b) phloem fibres

Explanation:

Phloem fibres possess narrow lumen and they are thick-walled elongated spindle-shaped dead cells.
They provide mechanical support to the tissue. Phloem parenchyma is thin-walled living cells of
parenchyma. They have two functions, storage and lateral food conduction. Except for phloem fibres,
other phloem cells are living cells.

23. Which of the following does not lose their nucleus at maturity?

(a) Companion cells

(b) Red blood cells

(c) Vessel

(d) Sieve tube cells

Soln:

Answer is (a) Companion cells

24. In desert plants, the rate of water loss gets reduced due to the presence of

(a) cuticle

(b) stomata

(c) lignin

(d) suberin

Soln:

Answer is (a) cuticle

Explanation:

The cuticle is a protective layer covering the epidermis of the leaf, young shoots and other aerial
parts of a plant. It contains lipids and polymers impregnated with wax. This minimizes the effect of
heat and reduces the loss of water.

25. A long tree has several branches. The tissue that helps in the sideways conduction of water in
the branches is

(a) collenchyma

(b) xylem parenchyma

(c) parenchyma

(d) xylem vessels

Soln:

Answer is (b) xylem parenchyma

Explanation:

Xylem is a complex tissue consisting of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres. The
main function of the xylem is water and mineral conduction. Tracheids and vessels transport water
and minerals vertically. The xylem parenchyma stores food and helps in the sideways conduction of
water.

26. If the tip of sugarcane plant is removed from the field, even then it keeps on growing in length.
It is due to the presence of

(a) cambium

(b) apical meristem

(c) lateral meristem

(d) intercalary meristem

Soln:

Answer is (d) intercalary meristem

Explanation:
Stem located at the base of leaves or nodes and leads to the increase in the length of an organ such
as leaves and internodes is intercalary meristem. They are responsible for the longitudinal growth of
the plant, hence the length of the sugarcane keep on increasing.

27. A nail is inserted in the trunk of a tree at a height of 1 metre from the ground level. After 3
years the nail will

(a) move downwards

(b) move upwards

(c) remain at the same position

(d) move sideways

Soln:

Answer is (c) remain at the same position

Explanation:

Longitudinal growth in the stem always takes place on the top hence apical meristem in the below
region remains constant, hence there will be no change in position of nail inserted in the trunk of the
tree.

28. Parenchyma cells are

(a) relatively unspecified and thin-walled

(b) thick-walled and specialised

(c) lignified

(d) none of these

Soln:

Answer is (a) relatively unspecified and thin-walled.

Explanation:

Parenchyma is the most common simple permanent tissue. It consists of relatively unspecialised cells
with thin cell walls. They are living cells. They are usually loosely arranged, thus large spaces
between cells (intercellular spaces) are found in this tissue.

29. Flexibility in plants is due to

(a) collenchyma

(b) sclerenchyma

(c) parenchyma

(d) chlorenchyma

Soln:

Answer is (d) collenchyma

The flexibility in plants is due to collenchyma. Collenchyma allows bending of various parts of a plant-
like tendrils and stems of climbers without breaking. It also provides mechanical support.
Collenchyma is found in leaf stalks below the epidermis.

30. Cork cells are made impervious to water and gases by the presence of

(a) cellulose

(b) lipids

(c) suberin

(d) lignin

Soln:

Answer is (c) suberin

31. Survival of plants in the terrestrial environment has been made possible by the presence of

(a) intercalary meristem

(b) conducting tissue

(c) apical meristem

(d) parenchymatous tissue

Soln

Answer is (b) conducting tissue

Explanation:

Conducting tissues xylem and phloem are responsible for the survival of plants in the terrestrial
environment. Xylem conduct water from roots to all the parts of the plants and phloem transports
food and other nutrients from leaves to other parts of the plant.

32. Choose the wrong statement

(a) The nature of matrix differs according to the function of the tissue

(b) Fats are stored below the skin and in between the internal organs

(c) Epithelial tissues have intercellular spaces between them

(d) Cells of striated muscles are multinucleate and unbranched

Soln:

Answer is (c) Epithelial tissues have intercellular spaces between them

Explanation:

Epithelial tissues do not have intercellular spaces between them rather they are tightly bound
together to make a continuous sheet.

33. The water conducting tissue generally present in gymnosperm is

(a) vessels
(b) sieve tube

(c) tracheids

(d) xylem fibres

Soln:

Answer is (c) tracheids

Explanation:

Vessels are generally absent in Gymnosperms

Sieve tubes are present in phloem hence they have no role in conduction of water

Xylem fibres provide structural rigidity and they have no role in conduction of water.

Short Answer Questions

34. Animals of colder regions and fishes of cold water have thicker layer of subcutaneous fat.
Describe why?

Soln:

Animals of colder regions and fishes of cold water have a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat because
fats act as an insulator and prevent the escape of heat from their body. This will help the animals in
resisting low temperature in cold climates.

35. Match the column (A) with the column (B)

(A) – (B)

(a) Fluid connective tissue – (i) Subcutaneous layer

(b) Filling of space inside the organs – (ii) Cartilage

(c) Striated muscle – (iii) Skeletal muscle

(d) Adipose tissue – (iv) Areolar tissue

(e) Surface of joints – (v) Blood

(f) Stratified squamous epithelium – (vi) Skin

Soln:

(A) – (B)

(a) Fluid connective tissue – (v) Blood

(b) Filling of space inside the organs – (iv) Areolar tissue

(c) Striated muscle – (iii) Skeletal muscle

(d) Adipose tissue – (i) Subcutaneous layer

(e) Surface of joints – (ii) Cartilage

(f) Stratified squamous epithelium – (vi) Skin

36. Match the column (A) with the column (B)

(A) – (B)

(a) Parenchyma – (i) Thin-walled, packing cells

(b) Photosynthesis – (ii) Carbon fixation

(c) Aerenchyma – (iii) Localized thickenings

(d) Collenchyma – (iv) Buoyancy

(e) Permanent tissue – (v) Sclerenchyma

Soln:

(A) – (B)

(a) Parenchyma – (i) Thin-walled, packing cells

(b) Photosynthesis – (ii) Carbon fixation

(c) Aerenchyma – (iv) Buoyancy

(d) Collenchyma – (iii) Localized thickenings

(e) Permanent tissue – (v) Sclerenchyma

37. If a potted plant is covered with a glass jar, water vapours appear on the wall of glass jar.
Explain why?

Soln:

Because of a process called transpiration, the water is released from the plants in the form of
vapours. These vapours appear on the glass jar if a potted plant is covered with the glass jar.

38. Name the different components of xylem and draw a living component?

Soln:

Xylem comprises tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres. The only living component
of xylem is xylem parenchyma.
39. Draw and identify different elements of phloem.

Soln:

40. Write true (T) or false (F)

(a) Epithelial tissue is protective tissue in animal body.

(b) The lining of blood vessels, lung alveoli and kidney tubules are all made up of epithelial tissue.

(c) Epithelial cells have a lot of intercellular spaces.

(d) Epithelial layer is permeable layer.

(e) Epithelial layer does not allow regulation of materials between body and external environment.

Soln:

a. True

b. True
c. Epithelial cells have a lot of intercellular spaces

d. True

e. False

41. Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary muscles. Give one example of each type.

Soln:

Voluntary muscles Involuntary muscles

They are also called striated muscles since they show They are also called non-striated muscles since they
stripes or striations. lack striations.

Their cells are long and cylindrical Their cells are small and spindle shaped.

They have multinucleate cells They have uninucleate cells

They are under our will or control. They are not under our will or control.

They get tired and need rest at intervals. They can work continuously without getting tired

Ex: Limb muscles Ex: Cardiac muscles

42. Differentiate the following activities on the basis of voluntary (V) or involuntary (I V) muscles.

(a) Jumping of frog

(b) Pumping of the heart

(c) Writing with hand

(d) Movement of chocolate in your intestine

Soln:

a-v, b-iv, c-v, d-iv

(a) Jumping of frog – is an activity of voluntary muscles

(b) Pumping of the heart- is a function of involuntary muscles

(c) Writing with hand- is a function of voluntary muscles

(d) Movement of chocolate in your intestine- is a function of involuntary muscles

43. Fill in the blanks

(a) Lining of blood vessels is made up of———.

(b) Lining of small intestine is made up of ———.

(c) Lining of kidney tubules is made up of———.

(d) Epithelial cells with cilia are found in———of our body

Soln:

a. Lining of blood vessels is made up of squamous epithelium

b. Lining of small intestine is made up of columnar epithelium

c. Lining of kidney tubules is made up of cuboidal epithelium

d. Epithelial cells with cilia are found in respiratory tract of our body

44. Water hyacinth float on water surface. Explain.

Soln:

Water hyacinth float on the water surface because of the presence of the air cavities present in the
parenchyma tissue.

45. Which structure protects the plant body against the invasion of parasites?

Soln:

The epidermis is the structure that protects the plant body against the invasion of parasites. It has
thick cuticle and dermal tissue which help in preventing the attack from parasites.

46. Fill in the blanks

(a) Cork cells possesses———on their walls that makes it impervious to gases and water.

(b) ——— have tubular cells with perforated walls and are living in nature.

(c) Bone possesses a hard matrix composed of———and ———.

Soln:

(a) Cork cells possesses Suberin on their walls that makes it impervious to gases and water.

(b) Sieve tubes have tubular cells with perforated walls and are living in nature.

(c) Bone possesses a hard matrix composed of calcium and Phosphorus.

47. Why is epidermis important for the plants?

Soln:

The epidermis is important for it gives protection against water loss. Epidermal cell present on the
aerial parts of the plant often secretes a waxy, water-resistant layer on their outer surface. This
provides protection against loss of water, mechanical injury and invasion by parasitic fungi. Epidermal
tissue forms a continuous layer which helps to avoid mechanical stress.

48. Fill in the blanks (a) ———are forms of complex tissue. (b) ———have guard cells. (c) Cells of
cork contain a chemical called——— (d) Husk of coconut is made of ———tissue. (e) ———gives
flexibility in plants. (f) ———and———are both conducting tissues. (g) Xylem transports———and
———from soil. (h) Phloem transport———from———to other parts of the plant

Soln:

a. Xylem and Phloem

b. Stomata

c. Suberin

d. Sclenchyma

e. Collenchyma

f. Xylem;Phloem

g. Water and minerals

h. Food, leaf

Long Answer Questions

49. Differentiate between sclerenchyma and parenchyma tissues. Draw well labelled diagram.

Parenchyma Sclerenchyma

Consists of living cells Consists of dead cells

Consists of thin walled cell Consists of uniformly thickened cellwalls

Cellwall is made up of cellulose Cellwall is made up of complex lignin

Serves as packing tissue Serves as mechanical tissue

Stores food and perform photosynthesis Gives strength, rigidity and protects from parasites.
50. Describe the structure and function of different types of epithelial tissues. Draw diagram of
each type of epithelial tissue.

Epithelial cells are the thin protective coverings that line most organs and cavities within the body. It
also forms a barrier to keep different body systems separate. The skin, the lining of the mouth, the
lining of blood vessels, lung alveoli and kidney tubules are all made of epithelial tissue. Epithelial
tissue cells are tightly packed and form a continuous sheet.

They have only a small amount of cementing material between them and almost no intercellular
spaces.

Obviously, anything entering or leaving the body must cross at least one layer of epithelium. As a
result, the permeability of the cells of various epithelia plays an important role in regulating the
exchange of materials between the body and the external environment and also between different
parts of the body. Regardless of the type, all epithelium is usually separated from the underlying
tissue by an extracellular fibrous basement membrane.

Epithelial cells are the protective coverings that line most organs and cavities of our body. Epithelial
cells form a barrier that keeps different body systems separate. Skin, the lining of blood vessels,
alveoli of the lung, kidney tubules etc are made of epithelial tissue. Cells in the epithelial tissue are
tightly packed and form a continuous sheet.

Epithelial tissue has only a small amount of cementing material between them and almost no
intercellular spaces. It is obvious that anything entering or leaving the body must cross at least one
layer of epithelium. This results in the permeability of the cells of various epithelia to play an
important role in regulating the exchange of materials between the body and the external
environment and between different parts of the body.

The epithelium is usually separated from the underlying tissue by an extracellular fibrous basement
membrane.

Depending on the shape and function, epithelial cells are classified into a) Squamous epithelial tissue
b) Stratified squamous epithelial tissue c) Cuboidal epithelial tissue d) Columnar( Ciliated) epithelial
tissue.

a) Squamous epithelial tissue:

In cells lining blood vessels or lung alveoli transportation of substances occurs through a selectively
permeable surface, this epithelium is a flat kind of epithelium. This is called the simple squamous
epithelium. Simple squamous epithelial cells are extremely thin and flat and form a delicate lining.
The oesophagus and the lining of the mouth are also covered with squamous epithelium. The skin,
which protects the body, is also made of squamous epithelium. Skin epithelial cells are arranged in
many layers to prevent wear and tear. Since they are arranged in a pattern of layers, the epithelium is
called stratified squamous epithelium.

b) Stratified squamous epithelium: Skin epithelial cells are arranged in many layers to prevent wear
and tear. Since they are arranged in a pattern of layers, the epithelium is called stratified squamous
epithelium.

c) Columnar epithelium: Where absorption and secretion occur, as, in the inner lining of the
intestine, these tall epithelial cells are present. This columnar epithelial facilitates movement across
the epithelial barrier. In the respiratory tract, the columnar epithelial tissue also has cilia, which are
hair-like projections on the outer surfaces of epithelial cells. These cilia can move and their
movement pushes the mucus forward to clear it. This type of epithelium is thus ciliated columnar
epithelium.

d) Cuboidal epithelium: These form the lining of the kidney tubules and ducts of salivary glands
where these provide mechanical support. Sometimes, a portion of the epithelial tissue folds inward
and a multicellular gland is formed. This is the glandular epithelium.

51. Draw well labelled diagrams of various types of muscles found in human body.

Soln:
52. Give reasons for

(a) Meristematic cells have a prominent nucleus and dense cytoplasm but they lack vacuole.

(b) Intercellular spaces are absent in sclerenchymatous tissues.

(c) We get a crunchy and granular feeling, when we chew pear fruit.

(d) Branches of a tree move and bend freely in high wind velocity.

(e) It is difficult to pull out the husk of a coconut tree.

Soln:

a) Meristamatic tissue cells are continuously dividing and they have a prominent nucleus and a dese
cytoplasm. Since they are diving rigorously they need not store food or waste products hence they
lack vacuoles.

b) Cellwall of sclerenchyma are lignified and are packed densely to protect the plant and to give
mechanical strength hence intercellular spaces are absent in sclerenchymatous tissues.
c) In pear fruit sclerenchyma cells are called stone cells. They are small, thick and hard. Due to this,
we get a crunchy and granular feeling, when we chew pear fruit.

d) Junction of the tree branch composed of collenchyma cells which provide rigidity and flexibility to
the branches. Hence, branches of a tree move and bend freely in high wind velocity.

e) Husk of coconut tree is sclerenchyma which is hard. Hence it is difficult to pull out the husk of a
coconut tree.

53. List the characteristics of cork. How are they formed? Mention their role.

Soln:

 Cork cells are mature and dead

 They are compactly arranged

 They do not have intercellular spaces

 They are thick and have several layers.

Outer protective tissue of the plant undergoes changes with age. The epidermis of the stem is
replaced by a secondary meristem call phellogen or cork cambium .It is a simple tissue which consists
of rectangular cells whose protoplasts are vacuolated. Cork cells contain tannins and chloroplasts.

Cork cambium forms cork on the outer side and secondary cortex on the inner side by giving off new
cells on both its sides. The layer of cells which is cut by cork cambium on the outer side ultimately
becomes several layered thick cork (bark) of trees.

Cork cells are compactly arranged dead cells and they lack intercellular spaces. Walls of cork cells are
thickened with suberin which is fat. Due to Suberin, these cells are impermeable to water and gases.

Role of cork

Cork provides protection to plant and it prevents loss of water from plant body. Cork protects the
plants from infection and mechanical injury. Cork is light in weight and it cannot catch fire. Because
of this property, it is used as insulators. Cork is hard in nature hence it is used to make sports goods.

54. Why are xylem and phloem called complex tissues? How are they different from one other?

Soln

A complex tissue is the one which has more than one type of cells having a common origin which
coordinates to perform a common function.

Xylem and phloem are made of different types of cells hence they are called complex tissues.

Xylem is made up of four different types of cells (elements), namely

(i)tracheids- Tracheids are elongated cells in the xylem of vascular plants that serve in the transport
of water and mineral salts.

(ii)vessels- A vessel element (trachea) is one of the cell types found in xylem, the water-conducting
tissue of plants. Vessel elements are found in flowering plants
(iii) xylem parenchyma- xylem parenchyma. live plant cells that are short, lignified and generally thin-
walled. They surround conducting elements and assist directly or indirectly in the conduction of
water upwards through vessels and tracheids, and also serve for food storage.

(iv) xylem sclerenchyma (or fibre)- Xylem fibres are mainly supportive in function.

Phloem is also made of four different types of elements

(i) sieve tubes- Sieve tube, in flowering plants, elongated living cells (sieve-tube elements) of the
phloem, the nuclei of which have fragmented and disappeared and the transverse end walls of which
are pierced by sievelike groups of pores (sieve plates). They are the channels of food (mostly sugar)
transport.

(ii) companion cells- companion cell A type of cell found within the phloem of flowering
plants. Companion cell is usually closely associated with a sieve element. Its function is uncertain,
though it appears to regulate the activity of the adjacent sieve element and to take part in loading
and unloading sugar into the sieve element.

(iii) phloem parenchyma

(iv) phloem fibre

55. (a) Differentiate between meristematic and permanent tissues in plants (b) Define the process
of differentiation. Name any two simple and two complex permanent tissues in plants.

Soln:

The basic differences between meristematic and permanent tissues of plants are tabulated below

Meristematic tissue Permanent tissue

1 Its component cells are living, small, spherical Its components cells may be living or dead. They are
or polygonal and un-differentiated large, differentiated with different shapes.

2 The cytoplasm is dense and vacuoles are nearly Large central vacuole occurs in living permanent cells
absent as they are metabolically active. as, they are less metabolically active.

3 Intercellular spaces are absent. Intercellular spaces are often present.

4 The cell wall of its cells is thin and elastic. The cell wall of its cells may either thin or thick.

5 The nucleus of each cell of this tissue is large The nucleus is less conspicuous.
and prominent.

6 Its cells grow and divide regularly. Its cells do not normally divide.
 7 It is a simple tissue. It can be simple, complex or specialized,

8 Cell organelles of its cells are simple Cell organelles of its cells are well- developed.

9 The cell contains crystals and other inclusions. Cells crystals and other inclusions

10 It provides growth to the plant. It provides protection. Support, conduction

photosynthesis, storage, etc.

(b) Cells derived from the division of meristematic tissues take up specific roles and gradually lose
their ability to divide. Thus, they form permanent tissue. Differentiation is a process by which the
cells divide meristematically to take a permanent shape, size and function

(c) Parenchyma and collenchyma are two simple permanent tissues, whereas xylem and phloem are
two complex permanent tissues.