Tissues

Group of cells having a common origin and similar function are termed as tissues.
A. Plant tissues: On the basis of the dividing capacity, plant tissues are of two types:

1. Meristematic tissues
2. Permanent tissues
1. Meristematic tissues: Consist of actively-dividing cells. Meristematic tissues are of three
types:

 Apical meristem: Present at the growing tips of stems and roots. Important function: To
increase the length of stems and roots.
 Intercalary meristem: Present at the base of leaves or internodes. Important function:
For the longitudinal growth of plants.
 Lateral meristem: Present on the lateral sides of the stems and roots. Important
function: To increase the thickness of stems and roots.
 Why do meristematic cells have a prominent nucleus and dense cytoplasm but
they lack vacuole?

(a) No need for storage

(b) No space for vacuole

(c) Cells cannot divide possessing vacuoles

(d) None of the above
 Answer: a

 Hint: Meristematic cells are a special type of cell that is in a continuous phase of
division resulting in a new set of cells or retains the power of division. Cell division is
an energy-expensive process, requiring a constant breakdown of glucose to release
ATP or energy.

Complete answer:
 Meristematic cells are thin-walled cells with rich cytoplasm and a big nucleus.
Vacuoles are non-cytoplasmic areas separated from the cytoplasm by specific
membranes. Their primary function is to reserve food materials which are excess for
future use. But as meristematic cells are in a constant phase of division and thus
require energy or ATP. This is fulfilled by constantly breaking down glucose, leaving
little or no excess food to store. This explains why they lack vacuole and their
respiration rate is also high.

 Additional Information:
Meristems are of two types- primary and secondary meristems, based on their origin.
Primary meristems develop directly from the embryo tissues. Secondary meristems
develop from the permanent tissue which has acquired the power of division.
Based on the location, meristems are classified into - apical meristem, intercalary
meristem and lateral meristems.
 Apical meristem: they are located at the tip of a growing shoot or root, be it their main
axis or the tip of their lateral branches. They are devoid of vascular tissues and virus-free
areas. Therefore, whenever a plant has been infected by any pathogen or virus, its apical
meristem is cut off to grow another plant.
Intercalary meristem: It is located between the regions of permanent tissues. They are
responsible for increasing the height of a plant. Therefore even at times when a stem
breaks down due to strong wind, they resume their growth.
Lateral meristem: Their division increases the girth of a plant i.e increasing the diameter
of a plant. Intrafascicular cambium is a type of lateral meristem. A set of actively dividing
tissue occupies space between the vascular bundles (xylem and phloem).
So, the correct answer is ‘No need for storage’.

Note: -Any cell which loses the capacity to divide and acquire a permanent function,
shape and size, they are known as permanent tissues. They may be simple permanent
tissues or complex permanent tissue.
-Simple permanent tissues are made up of just one type of similar cells performing the
same function e.g. parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma.
-Complex permanent tissues are made up of more than one type of cells and work as a unit
to perform the same function. E.g. xylem and phloem.

2. Permanent tissues: Formed from meristematic tissues, the cells in the tissue loose the
ability to divider Permanent tissues are divided into two categories:

 Simple permanent tissue: Consist of only one type of cells.

 Parenchyma: Composed of unspecialised living cells with relatively thin cell walls,
intercellular space, present in soft parts of the plant. Their main function is storage.
 Collenchyma: Composed of living and elongated cells with cell walls irregularly
thickened at the comers. No intercellular space. It provides mechanical support and
elasticity to plant. It helps in bending of leaves and stems.
  Sclerenchyma: Composed of long, narrow, and thick-walled cells. This tissue is
made up of dead cells and there are no intercellular spaces. Sclerenchyma cells are
dead, present in seeds, nuts, the husk of a coconut, fibres of jute etc.

Complex permanent tissue: Made up of more than one type of cells (Conducting
tissues.)
Types of complex permanent tissues:
 Xylem: Conducts water and minerals from the roots to the different parts of the
plant.
Composed of four different types of cells—tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma
and xylem fibres.
 Phloem: Conducts food material from the leaves to the different parts of the plant.
Composed of four different types of cells—sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem
parenchyma and phloem fibres.
 Protective tissue: It is made of a single layer of cells. E.g., epidermis. The epidermis
of the leaf bears stomata.

Difference Between Meristematic Tissue and Permanent Tissue

Meristematic tissues are tissues that have the ability to enlarge, stretch, and differentiate into
other types of cells as they mature. Cells are small, spherical, or polygonal and
undifferentiated. They are either differentiated or incompletely differentiated, and they give
rise to various organs of a plant and are responsible for growth.

Permanent tissue is a plant tissue that has completed its growth and differentiation and is
usually incapable of meristematic activity. Cells are large and differentiated. Cells of
permanent tissues are matured and assume definite shape, size, and function.

Difference Between Meristematic Tissue and Permanent Tissue:

Meristematic tissue

1. This tissue originates from the embryonic stage. So, they are primary tissue. It is a
simple tissue.
2. The cells are able to grow more cells by mitotic division. Crystals and other cell
inclusions are absent.
3. This tissue is present in the growing organs of the plants. Respiratory and biosynthetic
activities are very high.
4. This tissue is responsible for the growth of plants because the cells increase the number
of cells by division.
5. This tissue consists of immature cells. The cells of this tissue are generally young and
immature with the power of continuous division. The cell walls are thin.
6. The shape and structure of the cells are not definite. Intercellular spaces are very small
or absent.
7. These cells are living. Vacuoles are either small or absent. Plastids are represented by
pro-plastids.
8. The nucleus of the cell is large. The cells are small and isodiametric.
9. It does not help mentionable in mechanical activities. The cells have the property to
undergo division.
10.They are not greatly involved in preparing to store and to conduct food materials.
11.It provides growth to the plant.