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The meristematic tissue is formed exclusively by undifferentiated or embryonic cells.

These cells, known as meristematic cells, are responsible for bringing about growth of the plant body due to their capacity to undergo continuous mitotic divisions.

Characteristic features of the meristematic cells


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The cells are relatively smaller in size compared to mature cells. They are either rectangular or isodiametric in shape. The cells are always compactly arranged, without any intercellular spaces. The cells have a thin cell wall, which is composed of only cellulose. The cells enclose a large amount of clear and transparent cytoplasm. Every cell has a single, conspicuous nucleus, which is situated in the center of the cell. The chromosomes are always found in some phase of mitotic division. Except mitochondria, other cell organelles are either absent or present in a nonfunctional state. For example, the plastids may be present in a non-functional state called proplastids. Vacuoles are absent. Ergastic substances such as reserve food materials or secretory products or excretory products are completely absent. The cells are capable of undergoing regular, continuous mitotic divisions.

The permanent tissues are formed by the differentiated cells, which become specialised to perform specific functions like protection, support, storage and conduction. The permanent tissues always differentiate from the meristematic cells, during the process of growth.

Characteristic features
Back to Top The cells which form the permanent tissues, exhibit the following characteristic features:

The cells vary in size and shape considerably. They may be spherical or oval or polygonal or irregular in shape. Sometimes the cells may also be elongated. The cells may be either compactly arranged, without any intercellular spaces or loosely arranged with intercellular spaces. The cell wall may be either thin or thick. Thin-walled cells contain only cellulose in their cell wall. Thick-walled cells contain other compounds like hemicellulose or pectin, in addition to cellulose. In some cases, a rigid polysaccharide called lignin may be deposited in the cell wall. Cytoplasm in these cells in almost always granular. It is usually found surrounding the vacuole. In highly specialised cells, cytoplasm is absent. Nucleus may be present or absent at maturity. Cell organelles like plastids, Golgi complex etc., when present, are in a highly functional state. In highly specialised cells such cell organelles are absent. Every cell has either one or two large and prominent vacuoles. In highly specialised cells, the vacuole is represented by a space in the cell called lumen. Ergastic substances are almost always present in the form of secretory products or storage products or excretory products. Mitotic divisions occur only in less specialised cells.

It is the main tissue in the plant body, occurring in almost all regions. It is particularly abundant in the root and stem. It is the least specialised among the permanent tissues. The cells of the tissues are called parenchyma cells. These cells are usually spherical or oval in shape. Sometimes the cells may be elongated. Very rarely, the cells become irregular in shape. They are usually loosely arranged with prominent intercellular spaces. In certain regions like epidermis, the cells become compactly arranged and hence, intercellular spaces are absent.

Parenchyma Every cell has a thin cell wall represented by the primary wall. It is composed of only cellulose. Every cell has a large vacuole surrounding which a large amount of granular cytoplasm is present. A prominent nucleus is seen situated just above the vacuole. The various cell organelles are found in a highly functional state. The vacuole encloses either storage products or secretory products. Parenchyma is commonly described as a simple, living, storage tissue.

Collenchyma
It is a type of simple permanent tissue, which is mainly meant for providing mechanical support to the shoot system of a plant. Collenchyma is completely absent in the root. It is composed of elongated cells that are compactly arranged. Sometimes, the cells may enclose small intercellular spaces. In a section, the collenchyma cells appear either polygonal or spherical or oval. The cells are characterised by the presence of a cell wall, which is unevenly thick. The cell wall is composed of a primary wall made up of cellulose and at certain places, it is deposited with a secondary wall made up of hemicellulose or pectin. Every cell has a large, prominent vacuole filled with certain secretory products. Surrounding the vacuole, a granular cytoplasm is present. A nucleus is usually found situated just above the vacuole. The cell organelles are usually found in a functional state. Collenchyma is commonly described as a simple, living, mechanical tissue.

Sclerenchyma
It is a type of simple permanent tissue mainly meant for providing mechanical support and protection to different parts of the plant body. Hence, sclerenchyma occurs in all the parts of the plant body, including the fruit and seed. The sclerenchyma cells are usually elongated, with tapering ends. Such cells are commonly described as sclerenchyma fibres. In some cases, the cells are shorter and irregular in shape. Such cells are commonly described as sclereids or stone cells. Sclerenchyma is commonly described as a simple, dead, mechanical tissue.

Sclerenchyma Fibres The sclerenchyma cells are characterised by the presence of a thick cell wall. It is composed of a primary wall and a secondary wall. The primary wall is made up of cellulose while the secondary wall is made up of a very hard polysaccharide called lignin. The process that involves the formation of the secondary wall is known as lignification. Due to lignification, the cells lose their living characters at maturity.

Diagnostic Features of a Monocot Stem


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* Absence of trichomes. * Presence of stomata. * Presence of a hypodermis made up of sclerenchyma. * Presence of undifferentiated ground tissue. * Presence of numerous vascular bundles irregularly scattered with cerifugal arrangement. * Vascular bundles are conjoint, collateral & closed with endarch xylem. * Presence of only two protoxylem & two metaxylem vessels in each bundle. * Presence of a lysigenous cavity. * Absence of phloem parenchyma. * Presence of a bundle sheath made up of sclerenchyma.

Diagnostic Features of a Young Dicot Stem


Following are some of the diagnostic features of a young dicot stem * Presence of cuticle and trichomes. * Presence of stomata. * Presence of a hypodermis made up of collenchyma. * Presence of a wavy endodermis containing numerous starch grains. * Presence of a bundle cap above each vascular bundle, formed by sclerenchyma. * Presence of eight vascular bundles, arranged in the form of a broken ring. * Presence of conjoint, collateral and open vascular bundles with an endarch xylem.

Dicot Stem and Monocot Stem

Diagnostic Features of a Dicot Root


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* Presence of thin walled cells in the epiblema. * Absence of cuticle, and stomata. * Presence of unicellular root hairs. * Absence of hypodermis. * Presence of passage cells and casparian thickenings in the endodermis. * Presence of uniseriate pericycle made up of parenchyma. * Presence of conjuctive tissue. * Absence of pith. * Presence of radial vascular bundles exhibiting tetrach condition with exarch xylem.

Diagnostic Features of a Monocot Root


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* Presence of thin walled cells in the epiblema. * Absence of cuticle and stomata. * Presence of unicellular root hairs. * Presence of passage cells and casparian thickenings in the endodermis. * Presence of parenchyma cells in the pericycle. * Presence of conjuctive tissue. * Presence of a distinct pith. * Presence of radial vascular bundles with polyarch condition and an exarch xylem.

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