Cell Types and Modifications

Types of Tissues and Functions

• Meristematic tissue is responsible for growth and cell differentiation, allowing formation of new tissues.
• Vascular tissues in plants serve to transport water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant.
• Angiosperms (flowering plants) and gymnosperms (conifers) possess an extensive tissue system for efficient water and nutrient transport.

Cell Differentiation and Specialization

• Cell differentiation is the process through which cells become specialized for specific functions.
• Permanent tissues, which cease to divide, are specialized for particular functions such as support, photosynthesis, or storage.

Main Plant Tissue Types

• Two main types of plant tissues:
  • Meristematic tissues (for growth and continuous division)
  • Permanent tissues (specialized and non-dividing)

Functions of Meristematic Tissues

• Meristematic tissues facilitate growth in plants by continuously dividing to produce new cells.

Etymology of 'Meristematic'

• The Greek term 'merizein' means "to divide," reflecting the characteristic division and growth potential of meristematic tissues.

Nonvascular Plants

• Examples of nonvascular plants include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, which lack a vascular tissue system for transport.