Permanent tissue in plants consists of cells that have ceased to divide and have taken on specific functions to support the plant’s structure and physiology. Unlike meristematic tissue, which is responsible for growth and cell division, permanent tissue serves various functions throughout the plant’s life cycle. There are two main types of permanent tissue:
- Simple Permanent Tissue:
- Parenchyma: Parenchyma cells are thin-walled and often found in various plant organs. They play a vital role in photosynthesis, storage of food and water, and provide structural support to young plant parts.
- Collenchyma: Collenchyma cells have thicker cell walls than parenchyma and provide flexible structural support, especially in growing regions of stems and leaves.
- Sclerenchyma: Sclerenchyma cells have heavily lignified walls and offer rigid structural support. They are typically found in mature plant parts like the stems and provide support for the plant even after cell death.
- Complex Permanent Tissue:
- Xylem: Xylem is responsible for water and mineral transport from the roots to the rest of the plant. It consists of vessel elements and tracheids for water conduction and fibers for mechanical support.
- Phloem: Phloem transports organic compounds like sugars produced in photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant. It contains sieve tube elements and companion cells for this function.