Plant Tissue: Ground Tissue System

Study Notes

Parenchyma is a type of plant tissue that performs various metabolic functions like photosynthesis, storage and secretion.
Parenchyma cells are the building blocks of parenchyma tissue, characterized by thin primary cell walls, large vacuoles for storage, and the ability to differentiate into other cell types.
Collenchyma is a simple, flexible tissue that provides support in young plants.
Collenchyma cells are characterized by unevenly thickened cell walls, especially in the corners.
Sclerenchyma is a strong and rigid tissue that provides mechanical support and protection in plants.
Sclerenchyma cells have thick, lignified secondary cell walls, which are often dead at maturity.

Aerenchyma is a type of parenchyma with large air spaces, aiding in aeration and buoyancy, particularly in aquatic plants.
Chlorenchyma is parenchyma specialized for photosynthesis, abundant in leaves and young shoots.
- Palisade cells are elongated and compactly arranged.
- Spongy cells are irregularly shaped and loosely arranged.
Prosenchyma is a type of parenchyma with elongated cells and thick walls, serving as supporting tissue, commonly found in seeds.
Armed Parenchyma features stellate (star-shaped) cells with inward projections of the cell wall, resembling arms.

Sclereids are short, variable shaped cells, typically found in hard structures like nutshells and fruit stones.
Fibers are long, tapered cells usually grouped together, abundant in wood, bark, and leaf veins.