Plant Tissues - Comprehensive Question Paper

Instructions

This question paper contains 275 questions in total
Attempt all questions as per the marking scheme
Write clear and concise answers

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (100 Questions - 1 Mark Each)

Choose the correct answer:

A tissue is defined as: a) A single cell performing a function b) A group of similar cells working together c) Different types of cells randomly arranged d) Only dividing cells
Plant tissues are broadly classified into how many main categories? a) One b) Two c) Three d) Four
Meristematic tissues are characterized by: a) Large cells with thick walls b) Small, actively dividing cells c) Dead cells with lignified walls d) Cells with large vacuoles
The shape of meristematic cells is: a) Elongated b) Irregular c) Isodiametric d) Cylindrical
Intercellular spaces in meristematic tissues are: a) Large b) Medium c) Absent d) Variable
The nucleus in meristematic cells is: a) Small b) Large c) Absent d) Multiple
Cell walls in meristematic tissues are: a) Thick b) Thin c) Absent d) Lignified
Meristematic tissues are found in: a) Growing regions only b) All parts of plant c) Only roots d) Only stems
Apical meristem is responsible for: a) Increase in girth b) Increase in length c) Food storage d) Water transport
Lateral meristem causes: a) Increase in length b) Increase in girth c) Food production d) Water absorption
Permanent tissues are characterized by: a) Actively dividing cells b) Cells that have lost ability to divide c) Only young cells d) Only reproductive cells
Simple permanent tissues are made up of: a) One type of cell b) Two types of cells c) Multiple types of cells d) Only dead cells
Complex permanent tissues consist of: a) One type of cell b) More than one type of cell c) Only living cells d) Only dead cells
Parenchyma cells have: a) Thick walls b) Thin walls c) No walls d) Lignified walls
The shape of parenchyma cells is: a) Elongated b) Isodiametric c) Cylindrical d) Irregular
Central vacuoles in parenchyma are: a) Small b) Large c) Absent d) Medium
Parenchyma is found in: a) Cortex only b) Pith only c) Cortex, pith, and mesophyll d) Only leaves
Chlorenchyma is a type of: a) Collenchyma b) Sclerenchyma c) Parenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
The main function of chlorenchyma is: a) Support b) Storage c) Photosynthesis d) Transport
Collenchyma cells are: a) Isodiametric b) Elongated c) Spherical d) Irregular
Cell wall thickening in collenchyma is: a) Uniform b) Uneven, especially at corners c) Only at ends d) Absent
Collenchyma is found: a) In leaf stalks b) Below epidermis of young stems c) Both a and b d) Only in roots
The main function of collenchyma is: a) Storage b) Photosynthesis c) Mechanical support and flexibility d) Transport
Sclerenchyma cells are: a) Living b) Dead c) Sometimes living, sometimes dead d) Only in young stage
Sclerenchyma cells have: a) Thin walls b) Thick, lignified walls c) No walls d) Flexible walls
The shape of sclerenchyma cells is: a) Short and broad b) Long and narrow c) Spherical d) Irregular
Sclerenchyma is found in: a) Stems only b) Around vascular bundles c) Veins of leaves d) All of the above
The main function of sclerenchyma is: a) Flexibility b) Storage c) Mechanical strength and rigidity d) Photosynthesis
Xylem is responsible for transport of: a) Food b) Water and minerals c) Gases d) Hormones
Phloem transports: a) Water b) Minerals c) Food (sugars) d) Gases
Transport in xylem occurs from: a) Leaves to roots b) Roots to other parts c) Stems to leaves d) Randomly
Transport in phloem occurs from: a) Roots to leaves b) Leaves to other parts c) Stems to roots d) In all directions
Xylem and phloem are examples of: a) Simple permanent tissues b) Complex permanent tissues c) Meristematic tissues d) Temporary tissues
Intercalary meristem is found in: a) Root tips b) Shoot tips c) Base of leaves and internodes d) Cambium
Turgidity in plants is mainly provided by: a) Collenchyma b) Sclerenchyma c) Parenchyma d) Xylem
Food storage in plants is mainly done by: a) Collenchyma b) Sclerenchyma c) Parenchyma d) Phloem
Lignin is mainly found in: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Which tissue provides flexibility to young stems? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
The epidermis of young stems has which tissue below it? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
Hard coverings of seeds and nuts contain: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Phloem
Dense cytoplasm is characteristic of: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Which tissue has cells without intercellular spaces? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Growth in length of plant is due to: a) Lateral meristem b) Apical meristem c) Intercalary meristem d) Both b and c
Growth in girth of plant is due to: a) Apical meristem b) Lateral meristem c) Intercalary meristem d) All meristems
Cambium is an example of: a) Apical meristem b) Lateral meristem c) Intercalary meristem d) Permanent tissue
Mesophyll is found in: a) Stems b) Roots c) Leaves d) Flowers
Cortex is located in: a) Center of stem b) Outer region of stem c) Only in roots d) Only in leaves
Pith is found in: a) Center of stem b) Outer region of stem c) Only in leaves d) Only in roots
Which tissue is responsible for photosynthesis in leaves? a) Epidermis b) Collenchyma c) Chlorenchyma d) Sclerenchyma
Petioles contain which supporting tissue? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
Vascular bundles are surrounded by: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Epidermis
Which cells have the thickest walls? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic
Isodiametric means: a) Equal diameter in all directions b) Elongated shape c) Irregular shape d) Cylindrical shape
Lignification occurs in: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Which tissue provides the least mechanical support? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) All provide equal support
Root tips contain: a) Lateral meristem b) Apical meristem c) Intercalary meristem d) No meristem
Shoot tips contain: a) Lateral meristem b) Apical meristem c) Intercalary meristem d) Permanent tissue
Which tissue is found in veins of leaves? a) Parenchyma only b) Collenchyma only c) Sclerenchyma d) All three
Food conduction in plants occurs through: a) Xylem b) Phloem c) Parenchyma d) Collenchyma
Water conduction in plants occurs through: a) Xylem b) Phloem c) Parenchyma d) Sclerenchyma
Which tissue has corner thickening? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic
Which tissue provides rigidity to plant parts? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Phloem
Growing regions of plants contain: a) Permanent tissues b) Meristematic tissues c) Dead tissues d) Storage tissues
Cells that have lost ability to divide are found in: a) Meristematic tissue b) Permanent tissue c) Growing tissue d) Young tissue
Which tissue has large intercellular spaces? a) Meristematic b) Parenchyma c) Collenchyma d) Sclerenchyma
Compactly arranged cells are found in: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Which tissue stores food materials? a) Collenchyma b) Sclerenchyma c) Parenchyma d) Xylem
Flexibility to plant parts is provided by: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
Mechanical strength is provided by: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Phloem
Which tissue has uniform cell wall thickness? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Both a and c
Uneven cell wall thickening is found in: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Dead cells at maturity are found in: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Living cells at maturity are found in: a) Parenchyma and Collenchyma b) Sclerenchyma c) Only Parenchyma d) Only Collenchyma
Which tissue is involved in photosynthesis? a) All parenchyma b) Chlorenchyma c) Collenchyma d) Sclerenchyma
Transportation tissues are: a) Simple permanent tissues b) Complex permanent tissues c) Meristematic tissues d) Storage tissues
Supporting tissues include: a) Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma b) Parenchyma and Xylem c) Phloem and Collenchyma d) Only Sclerenchyma
Storage tissues include: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
Growth tissues are: a) Permanent tissues b) Meristematic tissues c) Complex tissues d) Simple tissues
Which has the largest nucleus relative to cell size? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Meristematic tissue
Primary growth occurs due to: a) Lateral meristem b) Apical meristem c) Both d) Neither
Secondary growth occurs due to: a) Apical meristem b) Lateral meristem c) Intercalary meristem d) All meristems
Which tissue provides turgidity? a) Sclerenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Parenchyma d) Xylem
Leaf stalks are supported by: a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
Young stems have which tissue below epidermis? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Phloem
Minerals are transported by: a) Phloem b) Xylem c) Parenchyma d) Collenchyma
Sugars are transported by: a) Xylem b) Phloem c) Sclerenchyma d) Parenchyma
Which tissue has cells with corners thickened? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Xylem
Which tissue provides the most rigid support? a) Parenchyma b) Collenchyma c) Sclerenchyma d) Phloem
Intercellular spaces help in: a) Support b) Storage c) Gas exchange d) Transport
Dense cytoplasm indicates: a) High metabolic activity b) Low metabolic activity c) Dead cells d) Storage function
Thin cell walls indicate: a) Structural support b) Active metabolism c) Dead cells d) Rigid support
Thick cell walls provide: a) Flexibility b) Support and protection c) Storage space d) Transport pathway
Large vacuoles are important for: a) Support through turgor pressure b) Storage c) Both a and b d) Transport
Lignin deposition makes cells: a) Flexible b) Rigid and strong c) Permeable d) Metabolically active
Growing tips of roots and shoots contain: a) Old cells b) Meristematic cells c) Dead cells d) Storage cells
Permanent tissues are derived from: a) Other permanent tissues b) Meristematic tissues c) Dead tissues d) Storage tissues
Cell division is maximum in: a) Permanent tissues b) Meristematic tissues c) Complex tissues d) Simple tissues
Differentiation leads to formation of: a) Meristematic tissues b) Permanent tissues c) Growing tissues d) Dividing tissues
Which tissue combination forms vascular bundles? a) Parenchyma and Collenchyma b) Xylem and Phloem c) Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma d) Parenchyma and Sclerenchyma
The main axis of classification of plant tissues is based on: a) Location b) Function c) Ability to divide d) Cell wall thickness

Section B: Short Answer Questions (100 Questions - 1 Mark Each)

Define tissue.
Name the two main types of plant tissues.
What are meristematic tissues?
List three characteristics of meristematic cells.
Where are meristematic tissues located?
What is the function of meristematic tissues?
Name three types of meristems based on location.
What are permanent tissues?
How are permanent tissues classified?
What are simple permanent tissues?
Name three types of simple permanent tissues.
What are complex permanent tissues?
Name two types of complex permanent tissues.
Describe the structure of parenchyma cells.
Where is parenchyma found?
List two functions of parenchyma.
What is chlorenchyma?
What is the main function of chlorenchyma?
Describe the structure of collenchyma cells.
Where is collenchyma located?
What is the function of collenchyma?
Describe the structure of sclerenchyma cells.
Where is sclerenchyma found?
What is the main function of sclerenchyma?
Are sclerenchyma cells living or dead?
What is the function of xylem?
What is the function of phloem?
What does xylem transport?
What does phloem transport?
From where to where does xylem transport materials?
From where to where does phloem transport materials?
What is apical meristem?
What is lateral meristem?
What is intercalary meristem?
Give an example of lateral meristem.
What type of growth is caused by apical meristem?
What type of growth is caused by lateral meristem?
What is meant by isodiametric cells?
Why do meristematic cells have thin walls?
Why do meristematic cells have large nuclei?
What provides turgidity to plants?
What is lignin?
Which tissue is lignified?
What does lignification provide to cells?
Name the tissue found in leaf stalks.
Name the tissue found below epidermis of young stems.
What type of thickening is found in collenchyma?
Where are intercellular spaces maximum?
Which tissue has no intercellular spaces?
What is the shape of sclerenchyma cells?
What is cortex?
What is pith?
What is mesophyll?
Where is cortex located?
Where is pith located?
Where is mesophyll located?
What surrounds vascular bundles?
Name the tissue in veins of leaves.
What makes seed and nut coverings hard?
Which tissue provides flexibility?
Which tissue provides rigidity?
Which tissue stores food?
Which tissue performs photosynthesis?
What are vascular bundles?
What makes up vascular bundles?
Why are meristematic cells small?
Why do parenchyma cells have large vacuoles?
What is the difference between primary and secondary growth?
Which meristem causes primary growth?
Which meristem causes secondary growth?
What is cambium?
Why are sclerenchyma cells dead?
How do collenchyma cells provide support?
What is the role of intercellular spaces?
Why is dense cytoplasm important in meristematic cells?
What happens when meristematic cells differentiate?
Can permanent tissue cells divide?
What is cell differentiation?
How do plants grow in length?
How do plants grow in thickness?
What is the importance of cell walls in plants?
Why do different tissues have different cell wall thickness?
What is the relationship between structure and function in tissues?
How does parenchyma help in storage?
How does collenchyma provide flexibility?
How does sclerenchyma provide strength?
Why is xylem important for plants?
Why is phloem important for plants?
What would happen if meristematic tissues were absent?
What would happen if supporting tissues were absent?
What would happen if transport tissues were absent?
How are tissues organized in plants?
What is tissue system?
How do meristematic tissues become permanent tissues?
What triggers differentiation in plant cells?
Why do plants need different types of tissues?
How do tissues work together in plants?
What is the evolutionary advantage of tissue differentiation?
How do environmental factors affect tissue development?
What is the significance of tissue specialization?

Section C: Medium Answer Questions (50 Questions - 2 Marks Each)

Explain the definition of tissue and its importance in multicellular organisms.
Describe the main classification of plant tissues with examples.
Compare meristematic tissues and permanent tissues in terms of structure and function.
Explain the characteristics of meristematic tissues and their significance.
Describe the location and function of apical meristem.
Explain the role of lateral meristem in plant growth.
What is intercalary meristem? Explain its location and function.
Distinguish between simple and complex permanent tissues.
Describe the structure and functions of parenchyma tissue.
Explain chlorenchyma and its role in plants.
Describe the structure and functions of collenchyma tissue.
Explain how collenchyma provides mechanical support to plants.
Describe the structure and functions of sclerenchyma tissue.
Compare collenchyma and sclerenchyma in terms of structure and function.
Explain why sclerenchyma cells are dead at maturity.
Describe the structure and function of xylem tissue.
Describe the structure and function of phloem tissue.
Compare xylem and phloem in terms of function and transport direction.
Explain the importance of vascular tissues in plants.
Describe how different tissues contribute to plant support.
Explain the relationship between cell structure and tissue function.
Compare the cell wall characteristics of different plant tissues.
Describe the distribution of different tissues in a young stem.
Explain the role of intercellular spaces in different tissues.
Describe how lignification affects cell properties.
Explain the importance of cell division in plant growth.
Describe the process of tissue differentiation in plants.
Compare primary and secondary growth in plants.
Explain how meristematic activity leads to plant growth.
Describe the adaptation of different tissues to their functions.
Explain the significance of tissue organization in plants.
Compare living and dead tissues in plants.
Describe the role of vacuoles in different plant tissues.
Explain how plants achieve both support and flexibility.
Describe the importance of storage tissues in plants.
Explain the coordination between different tissue systems.
Describe how environmental factors influence tissue development.
Explain the evolutionary significance of tissue specialization.
Compare the metabolic activities of different tissues.
Describe the role of nucleus in different tissue types.
Explain how cell shape relates to tissue function.
Describe the importance of cell wall modifications in tissues.
Explain the concept of tissue complementarity in plants.
Describe how tissues are integrated to form organs.
Explain the role of meristematic tissues in plant regeneration.
Describe the economic importance of different plant tissues.
Explain how tissue structure reflects evolutionary adaptations.
Describe the role of tissues in plant defense mechanisms.
Explain the relationship between tissue development and plant hormones.
Describe how understanding plant tissues helps in agriculture.

Section D: Broad Answer Questions (25 Questions - 3 Marks Each)

Describe the complete classification of plant tissues with detailed characteristics and examples of each type.
Explain the structure, location, and functions of meristematic tissues. Discuss their role in plant development.
Compare and contrast the three types of simple permanent tissues - parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.
Describe the complex permanent tissues in detail, explaining their structure, function, and importance in plant survival.
Explain how the structure of different plant tissues is adapted to their specific functions. Provide examples.
Discuss the role of meristematic tissues in plant growth and development. Explain primary and secondary growth.
Describe the various supporting tissues in plants and explain how they provide mechanical support.
Explain the transport system in plants, describing the structure and function of conducting tissues.
Discuss the importance of tissue specialization in plants and how it contributes to plant efficiency.
Explain the process of tissue differentiation in plants and the factors that control it.
Describe how different tissues work together to form a functional plant body.
Explain the relationship between cell structure, tissue organization, and plant function.
Discuss the evolutionary significance of tissue development in plants and its advantages.
Describe the role of cell walls in different plant tissues and their modifications.
Explain how plants balance the need for support and flexibility through different tissue types.
Describe the importance of storage and photosynthetic tissues in plant metabolism.
Explain how the location of different tissues in plant organs relates to their functions.
Discuss the role of intercellular spaces in plant tissues and their functional significance.
Explain how understanding plant tissue structure helps in plant breeding and agriculture.
Describe the adaptations of plant tissues to environmental conditions.
Explain the concept of tissue systems and how they are organized in plants.
Discuss the importance of living versus dead cells in different plant tissues.
Explain how plant tissues respond to injury and the role of meristematic tissues in healing.
Describe the relationship between plant tissue structure and their economic uses.
Explain how the study of plant tissues contributes to our understanding of plant biology and biotechnology.

Answer Key Guidelines

Plant Tissues - Answer Script

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions

b) A group of similar cells working together
b) Two
b) Small, actively dividing cells
c) Isodiametric
c) Absent
b) Large
b) Thin
a) Growing regions only
b) Increase in length
b) Increase in girth
b) Cells that have lost ability to divide
a) One type of cell
b) More than one type of cell
b) Thin walls
b) Isodiametric
b) Large
c) Cortex, pith, and mesophyll
c) Parenchyma
c) Photosynthesis
b) Elongated
b) Uneven, especially at corners
c) Both a and b
c) Mechanical support and flexibility
b) Dead
b) Thick, lignified walls
b) Long and narrow
d) All of the above
c) Mechanical strength and rigidity
b) Water and minerals
c) Food (sugars)
b) Roots to other parts
b) Leaves to other parts
b) Complex permanent tissues
c) Base of leaves and internodes
c) Parenchyma
c) Parenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
b) Collenchyma
b) Collenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
d) Meristematic tissue
d) Meristematic tissue
d) Both b and c
b) Lateral meristem
b) Lateral meristem
c) Leaves
b) Outer region of stem
a) Center of stem
c) Chlorenchyma
b) Collenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
a) Equal diameter in all directions
c) Sclerenchyma
a) Parenchyma
b) Apical meristem
b) Apical meristem
c) Sclerenchyma
b) Phloem
a) Xylem
b) Collenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
b) Meristematic tissues
b) Permanent tissue
b) Parenchyma
d) Meristematic tissue
c) Parenchyma
b) Collenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
d) Both a and c
b) Collenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
a) Parenchyma and Collenchyma
b) Chlorenchyma
b) Complex permanent tissues
a) Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma
a) Parenchyma
b) Meristematic tissues
d) Meristematic tissue
b) Apical meristem
b) Lateral meristem
c) Parenchyma
b) Collenchyma
b) Collenchyma
b) Xylem
b) Phloem
b) Collenchyma
c) Sclerenchyma
c) Gas exchange
a) High metabolic activity
b) Active metabolism
b) Support and protection
c) Both a and b
b) Rigid and strong
b) Meristematic cells
b) Meristematic tissues
b) Meristematic tissues
b) Permanent tissues
b) Xylem and Phloem
c) Ability to divide

Section B: Short Answer Questions

A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.
The two main types of plant tissues are meristematic tissues and permanent tissues.
Meristematic tissues are tissues with actively dividing cells, responsible for growth.
Three characteristics of meristematic cells are: small, isodiametric, and compactly arranged without intercellular spaces; dense cytoplasm and a large nucleus; thin cell walls.
Meristematic tissues are found in the growing regions of the plant, such as root tips, shoot tips, and cambium.
The function of meristematic tissues is to facilitate the growth of the plant in length and girth.
Three types of meristems based on location are apical meristem, lateral meristem, and intercalary meristem.
Permanent tissues are composed of cells that have lost the ability to divide and have taken on a permanent shape, size, and function.
Permanent tissues are classified into simple permanent tissues and complex permanent tissues.
Simple permanent tissues are made up of only one type of cell.
Three types of simple permanent tissues are parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.
Complex permanent tissues are made up of more than one type of cell, working together as a unit.
Two types of complex permanent tissues are xylem and phloem.
Parenchyma cells are thin-walled, isodiametric cells with large central vacuoles and intercellular spaces.
Parenchyma is found in the cortex, pith, and mesophyll of leaves.
Two functions of parenchyma are storage of food and photosynthesis.
Chlorenchyma is a type of parenchyma that contains chloroplasts.
The main function of chlorenchyma is photosynthesis.
Collenchyma cells are elongated cells with unevenly thickened cell walls, especially at the corners.
Collenchyma is located in the leaf stalks and below the epidermis of young stems.
The function of collenchyma is to provide mechanical support and flexibility to young stems and petioles.
Sclerenchyma cells are long, narrow cells with thick, lignified cell walls. They are dead cells.
Sclerenchyma is found in stems, around vascular bundles, in veins of leaves, and hard coverings of seeds and nuts.
The main function of sclerenchyma is to provide mechanical strength and rigidity to the plant.
Sclerenchyma cells are dead.
The function of xylem is to transport water and minerals from the roots to other parts of the plant.
The function of phloem is to transport food (sugars) from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Xylem transports water and minerals.
Phloem transports food (sugars).
Xylem transports materials from the roots to other parts of the plant.
Phloem transports materials from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Apical meristem is a type of meristematic tissue found at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for increase in length.
Lateral meristem is a type of meristematic tissue found in the cambium, responsible for increase in girth.
Intercalary meristem is a type of meristematic tissue found at the base of leaves and internodes, responsible for growth in length at those positions.
An example of lateral meristem is the cambium.
Apical meristem causes primary growth (increase in length).
Lateral meristem causes secondary growth (increase in girth).
Isodiametric cells are cells that have equal diameter in all directions.
Meristematic cells have thin walls to allow for easy cell division and growth.
Meristematic cells have large nuclei because they are metabolically active and control cell division.
Turgidity to plants is provided by parenchyma cells.
Lignin is a complex polymer that hardens and strengthens the cell walls of plants.
Sclerenchyma tissue is lignified.
Lignification provides rigidity and mechanical strength to cells.
The tissue found in leaf stalks is collenchyma.
The tissue found below the epidermis of young stems is collenchyma.
Collenchyma has uneven thickening, especially at the corners.
Intercellular spaces are maximum in parenchyma.
Meristematic tissue has no intercellular spaces.
The shape of sclerenchyma cells is long and narrow.
The cortex is the region of tissue in a plant stem or root between the epidermis and the vascular tissue.
The pith is the central region of a plant stem.
The mesophyll is the tissue in a green plant's leaf where photosynthesis takes place.
The cortex is located in the outer region of the stem.
The pith is located in the center of the stem.
The mesophyll is located in the leaves.
Vascular bundles are surrounded by sclerenchyma.
The tissue in the veins of leaves is sclerenchyma.
Seed and nut coverings are hard due to the presence of sclerenchyma.
Collenchyma provides flexibility.
Sclerenchyma provides rigidity.
Parenchyma stores food.
Chlorenchyma performs photosynthesis.
Vascular bundles are the transport system of plants, composed of xylem and phloem.
Vascular bundles are made up of xylem and phloem.
Meristematic cells are small to maintain a high surface area to volume ratio for efficient transport and metabolism.
Parenchyma cells have large vacuoles for storage of water and food, and to maintain turgor pressure.
Primary growth is the increase in length of the plant, while secondary growth is the increase in thickness or girth.
Apical meristem causes primary growth.
Lateral meristem causes secondary growth.
Cambium is a lateral meristem that produces xylem and phloem cells.
Sclerenchyma cells are dead at maturity because their thick, lignified walls prevent the exchange of materials.
Collenchyma cells provide support through their thickened cell walls, which are flexible enough to allow for growth.
The role of intercellular spaces is to facilitate gas exchange.
Dense cytoplasm is important in meristematic cells as it indicates high metabolic activity required for cell division.
When meristematic cells differentiate, they lose the ability to divide and develop into specialized permanent tissues.
No, permanent tissue cells cannot divide.
Cell differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.
Plants grow in length through the activity of apical meristems.
Plants grow in thickness through the activity of lateral meristems.
The importance of cell walls in plants is to provide structural support, protection, and to maintain cell shape.
Different tissues have different cell wall thickness depending on their function; for example, sclerenchyma has thick walls for support, while parenchyma has thin walls for storage and photosynthesis.
The structure of a tissue is closely related to its function; for example, the long, hollow cells of xylem are ideal for water transport.
Parenchyma helps in storage through its large vacuoles and intercellular spaces.
Collenchyma provides flexibility through its unevenly thickened but non-lignified cell walls.
Sclerenchyma provides strength through its thick, lignified cell walls.
Xylem is important for plants as it transports water and minerals, which are essential for survival.
Phloem is important for plants as it transports food, which provides energy for growth and other metabolic activities.
If meristematic tissues were absent, the plant would not be able to grow.
If supporting tissues were absent, the plant would not be able to stand upright and would be easily damaged.
If transport tissues were absent, the plant would not be able to transport water, minerals, and food, and would die.
Tissues are organized in plants into tissue systems, such as the dermal, ground, and vascular tissue systems.
A tissue system is a functional unit connecting all organs of a plant.
Meristematic tissues become permanent tissues through the process of cell differentiation.
Differentiation in plant cells is triggered by hormones and environmental cues.
Plants need different types of tissues to perform specialized functions such as growth, support, transport, and photosynthesis.
Tissues work together in plants to ensure the overall survival and functioning of the organism.
The evolutionary advantage of tissue differentiation is that it allows for greater complexity and efficiency in multicellular organisms.
Environmental factors such as light, water, and nutrients can affect tissue development.
The significance of tissue specialization is that it allows for a division of labor among cells, leading to increased efficiency and complexity.

Section C: Medium Answer Questions

A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function. Its importance in multicellular organisms lies in the division of labor, allowing for specialization and increased efficiency, which enables the organism to grow larger and more complex.
Plant tissues are broadly classified into meristematic tissues (e.g., apical meristem) and permanent tissues. Permanent tissues are further divided into simple permanent tissues (e.g., parenchyma) and complex permanent tissues (e.g., xylem).
Meristematic tissues consist of small, actively dividing cells with dense cytoplasm and thin walls, responsible for growth. Permanent tissues are composed of differentiated cells that have lost the ability to divide and have specialized functions such as storage, support, or transport.
Meristematic tissues are characterized by small, isodiametric, actively dividing cells with large nuclei and thin walls. Their significance lies in their ability to produce new cells, leading to the growth and development of the plant.
Apical meristem is located at the tips of roots and shoots. Its function is to produce new cells that lead to an increase in the length of the plant, a process known as primary growth.
Lateral meristem, such as the cambium, is located along the sides of stems and roots. It is responsible for secondary growth, which is the increase in the girth or thickness of the plant.
Intercalary meristem is found at the base of leaves and internodes. It is responsible for the growth in length of these parts, allowing for rapid growth in grasses and other monocots.
Simple permanent tissues are composed of only one type of cell (e.g., parenchyma), while complex permanent tissues are composed of more than one type of cell working together (e.g., xylem and phloem).
Parenchyma tissue consists of thin-walled, isodiametric cells with large vacuoles. Its functions include storage of food, photosynthesis (in chlorenchyma), and providing turgidity to the plant.
Chlorenchyma is a type of parenchyma tissue that contains chloroplasts. Its role in plants is to perform photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy.
Collenchyma tissue consists of elongated cells with unevenly thickened cell walls, especially at the corners. Its functions are to provide mechanical support and flexibility to young, growing parts of the plant.
Collenchyma provides mechanical support through its thickened cell walls, which are strong enough to provide support but flexible enough to allow for growth and movement.
Sclerenchyma tissue consists of long, narrow cells with thick, lignified cell walls. These cells are dead at maturity. Its function is to provide mechanical strength and rigidity to the plant.
Collenchyma consists of living cells with unevenly thickened, non-lignified walls, providing flexible support. Sclerenchyma consists of dead cells with thick, lignified walls, providing rigid support.
Sclerenchyma cells are dead at maturity because their thick, lignified walls are impermeable to water and nutrients, preventing the cell from carrying out metabolic functions.
Xylem is a complex tissue composed of several cell types. Its function is to transport water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Phloem is a complex tissue composed of several cell types. Its function is to transport food (sugars) produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Xylem transports water and minerals from the roots upwards, while phloem transports food from the leaves to all parts of the plant where it is needed.
Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) are important in plants as they form the transport system, allowing for the movement of water, minerals, and food, which is essential for the plant's survival and growth.
Different tissues contribute to plant support in various ways. Collenchyma provides flexible support to young stems, while sclerenchyma provides rigid support to mature parts of the plant. Xylem also contributes to support due to its lignified cell walls.
The structure of a cell is closely related to its function in a tissue. For example, the long, hollow shape of xylem vessels makes them efficient for water transport, while the thin walls of parenchyma cells allow for easy storage and exchange of substances.
The cell walls of different plant tissues vary in thickness and composition. Meristematic cells have thin walls for easy division. Parenchyma has thin walls for storage and photosynthesis. Collenchyma has unevenly thickened walls for flexible support. Sclerenchyma has thick, lignified walls for rigid support.
In a young stem, the outermost layer is the epidermis. Below the epidermis is the cortex, which may contain collenchyma for support and parenchyma for storage. The vascular bundles (xylem and phloem) are located in the center, surrounded by sclerenchyma for support. The pith, composed of parenchyma, is in the center.
Intercellular spaces, particularly in parenchyma tissue, allow for the circulation of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are necessary for respiration and photosynthesis.
Lignification, the deposition of lignin in the cell wall, makes the cell wall rigid, waterproof, and resistant to decay. This provides mechanical strength and support to the plant.
Cell division, which occurs in meristematic tissues, is essential for plant growth as it is the process by which new cells are produced, leading to an increase in the size of the plant.
Tissue differentiation in plants is the process by which cells produced by meristems develop into specialized tissues with specific functions. This process is controlled by genetic and hormonal factors.
Primary growth is the increase in the length of the plant, which occurs at the apical meristems. Secondary growth is the increase in the girth of the plant, which occurs at the lateral meristems.
Meristematic activity, through cell division, produces new cells. These cells then elongate and differentiate, leading to the overall growth of the plant in both length and girth.
Different tissues are adapted to their functions through their structure. For example, the thick, lignified walls of sclerenchyma are an adaptation for providing support, while the presence of chloroplasts in chlorenchyma is an adaptation for photosynthesis.
The significance of tissue organization in plants is that it allows for the efficient functioning of the plant as a whole. Tissues are organized into systems (dermal, ground, and vascular) that work together to carry out essential life processes.
Living tissues, such as parenchyma and collenchyma, are metabolically active and perform functions such as storage, photosynthesis, and flexible support. Dead tissues, such as sclerenchyma and xylem vessels, provide rigid support and transport.
Vacuoles in plant tissues have several roles. In parenchyma, they store water, food, and waste products, and maintain turgor pressure. In meristematic cells, they are small as the cells are actively dividing.
Plants achieve both support and flexibility through the combination of different tissues. Collenchyma provides flexible support to young, growing parts, while sclerenchyma provides rigid support to mature parts.
Storage tissues, primarily parenchyma, are important in plants as they store food reserves (such as starch and sugars) that can be used for energy during periods of dormancy or when photosynthesis is not possible.
The different tissue systems in a plant are coordinated to ensure its proper functioning. For example, the vascular tissue system transports water and nutrients to the ground tissue system, where photosynthesis and storage occur.
Environmental factors such as light, water availability, and temperature can influence tissue development. For example, plants grown in windy conditions may develop more supporting tissue.
The evolutionary significance of tissue specialization is that it allowed for the development of larger and more complex plants that could colonize a wider range of habitats.
The metabolic activities of different tissues vary. Meristematic tissues have high metabolic activity due to cell division. Parenchyma has moderate activity related to storage and photosynthesis. Sclerenchyma has no metabolic activity as the cells are dead.
The nucleus in different tissue types reflects their function. In meristematic cells, the nucleus is large and active, controlling cell division. In mature parenchyma cells, the nucleus is smaller as the cell is less metabolically active. In sclerenchyma, the nucleus is absent.
Cell shape is related to tissue function. For example, the elongated shape of collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells is suited for providing support, while the isodiametric shape of parenchyma cells is efficient for storage.
Cell wall modifications, such as thickening and lignification, are important in tissues as they determine the physical properties of the tissue, such as its strength and flexibility.
Tissue complementarity in plants refers to the way in which different tissues work together to perform a function that none of them could perform alone. For example, xylem and phloem work together to transport substances throughout the plant.
Tissues are integrated to form organs such as leaves, stems, and roots. Each organ is composed of different tissues that work together to perform the specific functions of that organ.
Meristematic tissues play a crucial role in plant regeneration. When a plant is injured, meristematic cells can be activated to divide and differentiate to form new tissues and repair the damage.
Different plant tissues have economic importance. For example, wood (secondary xylem) is used for construction and paper production, while fibers (sclerenchyma) are used to make textiles.
Tissue structure reflects evolutionary adaptations. For example, the development of vascular tissues was a key adaptation that allowed plants to grow tall and colonize land.
Tissues play a role in plant defense mechanisms. For example, the epidermis provides a physical barrier against pathogens, and some tissues produce chemical compounds that deter herbivores.
Plant hormones play a crucial role in regulating tissue development and differentiation. For example, auxins promote cell elongation, while cytokinins promote cell division.
Understanding plant tissues helps in agriculture by providing knowledge about how to optimize plant growth and productivity. For example, understanding vascular tissues can help in developing better irrigation techniques.

Section D: Broad Answer Questions

Plant tissues are broadly classified into two main types: meristematic tissues and permanent tissues.
- Meristematic tissues are characterized by actively dividing cells and are responsible for plant growth. They have small, isodiametric cells with thin walls, dense cytoplasm, and large nuclei. They are located in the growing regions of the plant. Examples include apical meristem (at root and shoot tips), lateral meristem (cambium), and intercalary meristem (at the base of leaves).
- Permanent tissues are composed of cells that have lost the ability to divide and have specialized functions. They are classified into:
  - Simple permanent tissues, which are made up of only one type of cell. Examples include:
    - Parenchyma: Thin-walled, living cells with large vacuoles, involved in storage and photosynthesis.
    - Collenchyma: Living cells with unevenly thickened walls, providing flexible support.
    - Sclerenchyma: Dead cells with thick, lignified walls, providing rigid support.
  - Complex permanent tissues, which are made up of more than one type of cell. Examples include:
    - Xylem: Transports water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
    - Phloem: Transports food from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Meristematic tissues are composed of small, actively dividing cells responsible for plant growth.
- Structure: The cells are isodiametric, with thin cell walls, dense cytoplasm, a large nucleus, and no intercellular spaces.
- Location: They are found in the growing regions of the plant, such as the tips of roots and shoots (apical meristem), the sides of stems and roots (lateral meristem), and the base of leaves and internodes (intercalary meristem).
- Functions: Their primary function is to produce new cells through cell division, which leads to the growth of the plant in length (primary growth) and girth (secondary growth). They are essential for the development of all plant organs and for the repair of injuries.
Parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma are three types of simple permanent tissues.
- Parenchyma: Consists of living, thin-walled, isodiametric cells with large vacuoles. It is involved in storage, photosynthesis, and providing turgidity.
- Collenchyma: Consists of living, elongated cells with unevenly thickened, non-lignified cell walls. It provides flexible mechanical support to young, growing parts of the plant.
- Sclerenchyma: Consists of dead, long, narrow cells with thick, lignified cell walls. It provides rigid mechanical support to mature parts of the plant.
- Comparison: Parenchyma is the least specialized and most abundant. Collenchyma provides flexible support, while sclerenchyma provides rigid support. Parenchyma and collenchyma are living tissues, while sclerenchyma is a dead tissue.
Complex permanent tissues are composed of more than one type of cell and are involved in transport.
- Xylem: This tissue is responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It is composed of several types of cells, including tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibers. The tracheids and vessels are the main conducting cells and are dead at maturity.
- Phloem: This tissue is responsible for the transport of food (sugars) from the leaves to other parts of the plant. It is composed of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibers. The sieve tubes are the main conducting cells and are living but lack a nucleus at maturity.
- Importance: These tissues are vital for the survival of the plant as they ensure that all parts of the plant receive the necessary water, minerals, and food.
The structure of different plant tissues is adapted to their specific functions.
- Xylem: The long, hollow, and dead cells of xylem (vessels and tracheids) form continuous tubes that are ideal for the efficient transport of water.
- Phloem: The sieve tubes of phloem have pores in their end walls that allow for the easy flow of food.
- Sclerenchyma: The thick, lignified walls of sclerenchyma cells provide maximum strength and support.
- Parenchyma: The thin walls and large vacuoles of parenchyma cells are suited for storage and maintaining turgor pressure.
- Collenchyma: The unevenly thickened but flexible walls of collenchyma cells provide support without restricting growth.
Meristematic tissues are crucial for plant growth and development.
- Primary growth: This is the increase in the length of the plant and is carried out by the apical meristems located at the tips of roots and shoots.
- Secondary growth: This is the increase in the girth or thickness of the plant and is carried out by the lateral meristems, such as the cambium, which produces new xylem and phloem.
- Role in development: Meristematic tissues are responsible for the formation of all new organs and tissues in the plant, and for the repair of wounds.
Plants have several supporting tissues that provide mechanical support.
- Collenchyma: This tissue provides flexible support to young, growing parts of the plant, such as stems and leaves. Its cells have unevenly thickened walls that allow for both support and growth.
- Sclerenchyma: This tissue provides rigid support to mature parts of the plant. Its cells have thick, lignified walls that make them very strong.
- Xylem: In addition to its transport function, the lignified walls of xylem cells also contribute to the overall support of the plant.
The transport system in plants consists of two conducting tissues: xylem and phloem.
- Xylem: This tissue forms a continuous network of tubes that transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves. The movement of water in the xylem is primarily driven by transpiration (the evaporation of water from the leaves).
- Phloem: This tissue transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant where they are needed for growth or storage. The movement of food in the phloem is an active process that requires energy.
Tissue specialization in plants is important because it allows for a division of labor among different cells and tissues. This leads to increased efficiency in carrying out essential life processes such as photosynthesis, transport, support, and reproduction. This specialization has enabled plants to become large, complex organisms that can survive in a wide range of environments.
Tissue differentiation in plants is the process by which cells produced by meristems develop specialized structures and functions. This process is controlled by a combination of genetic factors and environmental cues. Plant hormones, such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, play a key role in regulating which genes are expressed and thus what type of tissue a cell will become.
Different tissues work together to form a functional plant body. The dermal tissue system (epidermis) protects the plant. The ground tissue system (parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma) is involved in photosynthesis, storage, and support. The vascular tissue system (xylem and phloem) transports water, minerals, and food. These three tissue systems are integrated to form organs such as roots, stems, and leaves, which work together to ensure the survival of the plant.
There is a close relationship between cell structure, tissue organization, and plant function. The structure of a cell determines its function. Cells with similar functions are organized into tissues. Tissues are organized into tissue systems, and tissue systems are organized into organs. This hierarchical organization allows for the efficient functioning of the plant as a whole.
The evolutionary significance of tissue development in plants is immense. The development of specialized tissues, particularly vascular tissues, allowed plants to grow tall and compete for sunlight, and to colonize land. Tissue differentiation also led to the development of specialized reproductive structures, which increased the chances of successful reproduction.
Cell walls are a key feature of plant cells and their structure varies depending on the tissue type.
- Meristematic cells: Have thin, primary cell walls that allow for easy cell division.
- Parenchyma cells: Have thin, primary cell walls.
- Collenchyma cells: Have unevenly thickened, primary cell walls.
- Sclerenchyma cells: Have thick, secondary cell walls that are lignified.
- Modifications: The modifications of the cell wall, such as thickening and lignification, are crucial for the function of the tissue, providing support, protection, and regulating transport.
Plants balance the need for support and flexibility through the use of different tissue types. Collenchyma provides flexible support to young, growing parts of the plant, allowing them to bend without breaking. Sclerenchyma provides rigid support to mature parts of the plant, giving them strength and stability. The combination of these two tissue types allows the plant to be both strong and flexible.
Storage and photosynthetic tissues are essential for plant metabolism.
- Photosynthetic tissues (chlorenchyma): These tissues, located primarily in the leaves, are responsible for photosynthesis, the process that converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of sugars.
- Storage tissues (parenchyma): These tissues store the sugars produced during photosynthesis as starch, which can be used for energy when photosynthesis is not possible, such as at night or during winter.
The location of different tissues in plant organs is related to their functions.
- Leaves: The epidermis protects the leaf, the mesophyll (chlorenchyma) carries out photosynthesis, and the vascular bundles (xylem and phloem) transport water and food.
- Stems: The epidermis provides protection, the cortex provides support and storage, and the vascular bundles provide transport and support.
- Roots: The epidermis absorbs water and minerals, the cortex stores food, and the vascular cylinder transports water and minerals to the rest of the plant.
Intercellular spaces are the spaces between cells in a tissue. They are most prominent in parenchyma tissue. Their functional significance is primarily in facilitating gas exchange. They allow for the circulation of oxygen, which is needed for respiration, and carbon dioxide, which is needed for photosynthesis.
Understanding plant tissue structure helps in plant breeding and agriculture in several ways. It allows breeders to select for plants with desirable traits, such as strong stems or high-yielding leaves. It also helps in developing better agricultural practices, such as optimizing irrigation and fertilization to meet the needs of the different tissues.
Plant tissues show adaptations to environmental conditions. For example, plants in dry environments may have a thicker epidermis to reduce water loss, while plants in shady environments may have larger leaves with more chlorenchyma to maximize light absorption. Plants in windy environments may have more supporting tissue to prevent damage.
A tissue system is a group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function. In plants, there are three tissue systems:
- Dermal tissue system: This is the outer protective layer of the plant and consists of the epidermis.
- Ground tissue system: This system makes up the bulk of the plant and is involved in photosynthesis, storage, and support. It consists of parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.
- Vascular tissue system: This system is responsible for transport and consists of xylem and phloem.
Both living and dead cells are important in different plant tissues.
- Living cells: Tissues such as parenchyma, collenchyma, and phloem are composed of living cells that are metabolically active and carry out functions such as photosynthesis, storage, and transport of food.
- Dead cells: Tissues such as sclerenchyma and xylem are composed of dead cells at maturity. Their primary function is to provide mechanical support and transport of water, which can be done effectively by hollow, rigid cells.
When a plant is injured, it can respond by activating meristematic tissues to heal the wound. Parenchyma cells near the wound can dedifferentiate and become meristematic, dividing to form a callus, which is a mass of undifferentiated cells. The callus can then differentiate to form new tissues and repair the damage.
The structure of plant tissues is related to their economic uses.
- Wood (secondary xylem): Its strength and durability make it useful for construction, furniture, and paper.
- Fibers (sclerenchyma): The long, strong fibers of plants like cotton and flax are used to make textiles.
- Parenchyma: The storage parenchyma of plants like potatoes and rice is a major source of food for humans.
The study of plant tissues, known as plant anatomy, is fundamental to our understanding of plant biology. It helps us to understand how plants grow, develop, and function. This knowledge is also essential for biotechnology, as it allows us to manipulate plant tissues in culture to produce new plants or valuable compounds.

Plant Tissues

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