Tissues Class 9 Notes CBSE Science Chapter 6

Introduction to Tissue
The term tissue was coined by Bichat. The study of tissue with the help of a microscope is called Histology. Level
of organization in the living system; Cell –> Tissue –> Organ –> Organ System –> Multicellular organism.
Based on levels of organization the living system can be divided into;
 Unicellular: Kingdom monera and kingdom Protista
 Multicellular: Kingdom fungi, kingdom Plantae, and kingdom Animalia
Tissues can be divided into two types; Plant tissues and Animal Tissues
Difference between Plant and Animal Tissue
Diference between plant and animal tissue are as follows:

Plant Tissue Animal Tissue

It mostly consists of dead supportive tissues. It mostly consists of living tissues.

The tissues are designed to maintain a high-

The tissues are designed to maintain a sedentary lifestyle.
mobility lifestyle.

They require less energy to maintain. They require more energy to maintain.

The tissues get differentiated into meristematic and

No differentiation based on maturity takes place.
permanent based on maturity.

The organization is relatively simple. The organization is relatively complex.

Plant Tissue
A group of specialized cells to perform specific functions in plants are plant tissues. They show the characteristics
of growth in specific regions as they are located in those points.
They can be further classified into; Meristematic (dividing) Tissues and Permanent (Non-dividing, specific)
Tissues.
Meristematic Tissues
The types of plant tissues in which the cells can divide continuously to enable the plant to grow and increase in
length are called meristematic tissues. These types of tissues are found in the growing regions of the plant. They
show the following characteristics;
1. They are very metabolically active cells.
2. They have a very thin cell wall.
3. Their vacuole is very small or absent.
4. Their shape can be spherical, oval, rectangle, or even polygonal.
5. The cell cytoplasm is dense with prominent nuclei.
Types: Based on their location these tissues can be categorized into; Apical Meristem, Intercalary Meristem, and
Lateral Meristem.
Types of
Meristem Location Functions Diagram

At the growing tips of Elongation of root

Apical
stem, root, and and stem to show
Meristem
axillary buds. primary growth.

Forms new cells

At the stem
Intercalary continuously, and
internodes, and leaf
Meristem increases the length
bases.
of a part.

At the lateral sides of

Increases the girth of
Lateral the root, stem, and
the plant’s body and
Meristem longitudinally below
parts.
the bark.
Permanent Tissues
The types of plant tissues which have lost their ability to divide and have attained permanent shape, size, and
function are called permanent tissues.
They are classified further into; Simple Permanent Tissues, Complex Permanent Tissues, and Protective Tissues.
Simple Permanent Tissues
These permanent tissues are made up of only one type of cells that are similar in structure and function. They are
further classified into; Parenchyma, Sclerenchyma, and Collenchyma.
Types Location Characteristics Functions

The most common type of Stores food, fill spaces, helps

Found in the soft parts of living cells are loosely in cell-to-cell transport, stores
Parenchyma the stem, leaves, and arranged, thin cell walls, and wastes, and maintains the
roots. have round or isodiametric shape and firmness of the
shapes. body.

Found in the stems

They are dead cells with pointy
around the vascular It gives strength, rigidity,
tapered ends, closely packed,
Sclerenchyma bundle, veins of leaves, flexibility, and elasticity to
and have thickened cell walls
and hard covering of the plant body.
by lignin.
seeds and nuts

Found below the Consists of living cells, lacks

It provides mechanical
epidermis of the dicot intercellular spaces, cells are
Collenchyma support, and elasticity to
stem, veins of leaves, and elongated, and have irregularly
young plants.
in non-woody plants. thick cell walls at the corner.

Complex Permanent Tissues

Permanent tissues that are made up of more than one type of cells that coordinates to perform common functions
like the transport of water, minerals, and food throughout the body. They are further classified into; Xylem, and
Phloem.
Types Location Characteristics Function

Consists of tracheid, Dead tubular tracheid and xylem vessels help in the
Found in the
xylem vessels, xylem transport of water from root to shoot. Living xylem
Xylem stem, roots,
fibers, and xylem parenchyma stores food and dead xylem fibers supports
and leaves
parenchyma. the plant body.

Living sieve cells and sieve tubes help in the

Consists of sieve cells,
Found translocation of food throughout the plant’s body.
sieve tubes, companion
beneath the Living companion cells regulates the function of sieve
Phloem cells, phloem
bark of the tubes. Living phloem parenchyma stores food and
parenchyma, and phloem
plant. transports food to the non-green part of the plant. Dead
fibers.
phloem fibers provide mechanical support.

Protective Tissues: These permanent tissues protect the plant’s body from any external or internal injury. They are
further classified into; Epidermis, and Cork.
Types Location Characteristics Function

Covers the whole They have cells that are elongated and Protects from loss of
Epidermis outermost layer of the flattened with no intercellular spaces between water and infectious
plant’s body. them. agents.

They have cells that are dead, water-resistant,

Found in the outer Protects from
and durable. Also consists of a waxy
Cork bark of woody plants, desiccation, infection,
substance called Suberin that makes the tissue
particularly in trees. and mechanical injury.
impervious to water and gases

Animal Tissue
Specialized cells grouped to perform specialized functions in animals are called animal tissues. The characteristic
feature of these tissues is that they are designed in such a manner that provides the animal with the ability to move
and locomotion. They are further classified into; Epithelial Tissues, Muscular Tissues, Connective Tissues, and
Neural Tissues.
Epithelial Tissues
These are flat, cuboidal, or column-like cells that cover all the surfaces of the body and help in protection,
absorption, secretion, and sensory perception. These cells are tightly packed to appear like sheets. Epithelial
tissues are separated from the underlying tissue by an extracellular fibrous basement membrane. They consist of the
following types of tissues; Simple squamous, stratified squamous, columnar squamous, ciliated squamous,
cuboidal, and glandular.
Types Location Characteristics Function

Found in the lining of the mouth,

Thin, flat, and large-sized
Simple cheek, blood vessels, and Helps in the exchange of
cells. Forms a single
Squamous esophagus, and forms the alveoli substances.
layer.
of the lungs.

Stratified Covers the outer surface of the Squamous cells are

Protects the inner tissues.
Squamous whole body. arranged in layers.

Tall, cylindrical, pillar- Helps in the absorption of

Lines the inner surface of the
Columnar like cells arranged in a nutrients from digested
stomach and intestine.
single layer. food.

Ciliated Lines the inner surface of the Columnar cells have hair- Helps in pushing the mucus
 Types Location Characteristics Function

Columnar trachea, lungs, upper respiratory like projections called along with other particles
tract, and buccal cavity. cilia. to clear the pathway.

Lines the kidney tubules as well as Helps in the absorption of

Cuboidal Cube-shaped cells.
the ducts of the salivary glands. useful materials.

Cells are arranged in such Synthesis and secretion of

Found in the stomach, intestines,
Glandular a manner that they fold to substances on the surface
and pancreas.
form glands. of the epithelium.

Muscular Tissues
Muscular tissues consist of cells that are elongated, and narrow, and may have stripes called muscle fibers. They are
mainly found associated with the skeletal system of the body, however, help in forming organs also. They are
responsible for the locomotion and movement of the body. They consist of the following types of tissues; Smooth
Muscles, striated muscles, and cardiac muscles.
Types Location Characteristics Functions

Smooth/ Non- Found in the iris of the

The cells are long, lack stripes, uni-
striated eye, uterus, digestive Carry out the movement of
nucleate, have pointed ends, and
Muscle tract, and other the visceral organs.
perform only involuntary action.
Tissues internal organs.

Striated/
The cells are long, cylindrical,
Skeletal Found attached to the Helps in locomotion and
unbranched, multinucleate, and
Muscle bones. movement of the body.
performon voluntary actions.
Tissues

Helps in rhythmic
Cardiac
Found only in the The cells are cylindrical, branched, contraction and relaxation
Muscle
walls of the heart uni-nucleate, and involuntary. of the heart to pump blood
Tissues
throughout the body.

Connective Tissue
Connective tissues consist of loosely packed cells embedded in the intercellular matrix. Helps to connect various
tissues and also provide them cushioning which is why they are mainly found in deeper parts of the body. They
consist of the following types of tissues; Proper connective, supportive connective, and fluid connective.
Proper Connective Tissue: Also called loose connective tissue as the cells are scattered, irregularly shaped, and
embedded in a soft matrix. They cover all the internal organs of the body and help in binding and supporting to
maintain the structure of the body. They are further classified into; Areolar, adipose, and fibrous.
Types Location Characteristics Functions

Found between skin and Cells and irregularly

Areolar muscles, wrapped around arranged fibers are Helps in strengthening the internal
Tissue blood vessels, nerves, and embedded in a gelatinous organs.
bone marrow. matrix.

Found under the skin,

Adipose wrapped around the internal Cells are filled with fat Helps in cushioning and preventing
Tissue organs like intestines, and globules. heat loss.
kidneys.
Types Location Characteristics Functions

Tendons are responsible for binding

Fiber-forming cells that
Fibrous Found in the spaces between muscles to bones. Whereas ligaments
give rise to tendons and
Tissue the bones and muscles are responsible for binding bones to
ligaments.
bones.

Supportive Connective Tissues: These are comparatively hard tissues that have fibers and minerals as a matrix.
They form the skeletal system of the body. They are further classified into; Cartilage, and Bone.
Types Location Characteristics Function

Found in the nose, external ear

The tissue is semi- Provides flexibility, and helps in
pinna, trachea, larynx, ends of the
Cartilage transparent, non- smoothening the bone ends to
long bones, and in between the
porous, and elastic. prevent friction during movement.
vertebrae

The tissue is very hard,

Found in the skeletal system of Provides shape to the body
Bone non-flexible, and
the body. forming the framework.
porous.

Fluid Connective Tissue: Fluid in nature due to the presence of a liquid matrix. They are present throughout the
body to help in the transport of materials and gases, and to provide connectivity throughout the body. They are
further classified into; Blood, and Lymph.
Types Location Characteristics Function

Blood plasma forms the fluid Helps in the transport of gases,

Found throughout the matrix in which blood cells like digested food, hormones, and waste
Blood
body. RBC, WBC, and platelets float. material to different parts of the
Appears red. body.

Found between Helps in the transport of nutrients,

The pale-colored fluid matrix
intercellular spaces, spaces gases, and hormones between blood
Lymph formed of blood plasma and
between organs, etc. vessels and other different tissues.
WBC cells.
throughout the body. Protects the body from infection.
Neural Tissue

These are made of highly specialized cells called neurons that are responsible for the conduction of electrical
impulses throughout the body to and from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and sensory systems.
They are located throughout the body and get accumulated in the brain, and spinal cord. The neural cells have three
parts; the cell body (nucleus and cytoplasm), the axon (transmits impulses from the cell body to the next neuron or
other receptors), and dendrites (receive impulses from other neurons or other transmitters).

Definition of Neuron
Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system specialized to transmit information to different parts of
the body.
What is Neuron?
The neuron is the basic unit of the nervous system, which helps in the transmission of signals from one part of the
body to the other part. Neurons receive and transmit signals to different parts of the body. This transmission process
occurs in both physical and electrical forms. The process by which neurons are created is known as Neurogenesis.
Neurons can be of sensory type or can be motor in nature.
Neuron Diagram
The neuron diagram class 10 is an important topic in the biology syllabus. Given below is the neuron diagram:
Neuron Structure and Function
A neuron varies in shape and size based on their location. Still, all neurons have three main parts –
 Cell body
 Dendrites
 Axon
Parts of Neuron
The parts of neuron are given below:
Cell Body of a Nerve Cell (Perikaryon)
The cell body of neuron is called Soma or Perikaryon.
 The cell body or soma consists of the nucleus, Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, pigment granules, Neurofibrils,
and Neuro tubules in the cytoplasm that support the neuron.
 The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is seen in Nissl granules which extend into dendrites, but is absent in Axon
Hillock. Neurons do not contain centrioles, so they cannot divide.
 The plasma membrane of the cell body continues as an axolemma and contains many receptors.
Dendrites
Dendrites are tree-like structures (dendritic trees). They are 2 micrometres in length.
 Dendrites contains ribosomes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, useful for high protein
synthesizing activity during signal transmission.
 Dendrites are short branching extensions towards Nissl granules
 Dendrites function in neuron by receiving and transmitting signals towards the cell body of the neuron.
 They bear spines which are specialized for contact with other neurons.
Axon
Axons are long, thin structures which generate and transmit axon potentials, releasing neurotransmitters.
 Axons originate from the Axon Hillock and conduct impulses away from the cell body by their side branches.
 Nissl granules are absent
 Terminal branches have enlarged ends called buttons.
 Peripheral nervous system axons are ensheathed by Schwann cells
 Large axons have a Myelin sheath produced by Schwann cells.
 The Node of Ranvier is a gap between two Schwann cells where myelin is absent and the axon is exposed.
 Central nervous system axons are myelinated by Oligodendrocytes.
Synapse
Synapse is a chemical link that connects the terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron.
 Synapse function to transmit signals between neurons or from a neuron to a target cell.
 It has a presynaptic terminal and a post-synaptic terminal.
 Electric signals change to chemical signals in the presynaptic neuron end.
 Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
 This triggers an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron or target cell.

Parts of
Neuron Function
 Parts of
Neuron Function

Dendrites Receive messages from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body

Houses the nucleus, Golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and other components of
Cell Body the neuron.

Transmits electrical impulses from the cell body to the axon terminals, which then pass the
Axon impulse to another neuron.

Synapse chemical junction between the terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron

Types of Neuron
Below are the types of neurons that are classified based on their activities:
Sensory Neuron
 Sensory neurons form the majority of neurons in the body.
 Sensory neuron function to carry information from the sensory receptor cells to the brain.
 These neurons are pseudo-unipolar.
 They quickly relay signals to the brain or nervous system in response to stimuli like stepping on a thorn,
conveying chemical and physical inputs.

Motor Neuron
 Motor neurons function to connect the brain to the rest of the body.
 These motor neurons carry the information that the brain produces in response to the information sent by
sensory neurons to the muscles or body parts.
 The neurons are multipolar.
 There are two types of motor neurons: Lower Motor Neuron (travel from the spinal cord to the muscle)
and Upper Motor Neuron (travel between the brain and spinal cord).
Interneuron
 Interneuron are multipolar.
 Interneuron transmit data among various neurons in the body and helpconnect the motor and the sensory
neurons.
 They also communicate with each other, forming circuits of various complexity.

Neuron Type Description

 Neuron Type Description

Sensory Neuron Carry sensory information to the brain and quickly relay signals in response to stimuli

Motor Neuron Transmit signals from brain to muscles

Interneuron Facilitate communication between different neurons in the body

Classification of Neurons
Based on classification of neuron by structure and function, neurons can be classified into different types. Some of
them are:
Neurons Classification based on Function
 Sensory neurons, or Afferent neurons: These conduct impulses from the sensory receptors to the CNS.
 Motor neurons, or Efferent neurons: These conduct impulses from the CNS to the effectors.
Neurons Classified by Structure
According to the number of processes of neurons, they are divided as
 Unipolar Neurons: These show a single process bifurcating into a dendrite and an axon. These are produced
by the fusion of two processes of original bipolar neurons. E.g., Cells of the dorsal route Ganglia.
 Bipolar Neurons: Bipolar neurons have one axon and one dendrite. E.g., Bipolar cells of the retina and
olfactory mucosa.
 Multipolar Neurons: Multipolar neurons have one axon and multiple dendrites. The majority of neurons in
the CNS are multipolar.
What are the Functions of Neuron?
The following are the functions of neurons:
1. Neurons help in transmitting signals that allow comzmunication between different parts of the nervous
system.
2. Neurons help integrate signals from multiple sources and then determine whether an action potential will be
generated.
3. The sensory neurons intercept signals from the sensory organs and relay them to the brain.
4. The motor neurons, also called efferent neurons, relay signals from the central nervous system to the muscles
across the body.
5. Neurons help in maintaining a proper resting potential, which allows for the proper transmission of nerve
impulses.
6. A key feature of neurons is the property of plasticity. They are capable of altering their structure in response to
experience. This helps with memory function.
7. All body functions are properly coordinated with the help of neurons.
Conclusion – Neurons
Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system that facilitates the transmission of electric signals throughout
the body. They consist of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon, forming nervous tissue. Neurons generate and
transmit impulses that helps in communication between different body parts. Neurons are classified based on
structure and function. This article explores neuron diagrams, structures, classifications, and functions of neuron,
and discuss its vital role in the functioning of human body.