Plant Tissues and Growth

• Plant tissues are responsible for growth and have specialized cells.

Meristematic Tissue

• This tissue type is responsible for plant growth.

Apical Meristematic Tissue

• This tissue initiates new cell growth in young seedlings, determining height and length.

Lateral Meristematic Tissue

• This tissue thickens woody trees, including the vascular cambium.

Spherical Cells

• They are closely packed together.

Absent/Small Vacuoles

• They prevent rapid division by providing rigidity.

Complex Tissues

• These include xylem and phloem.

Cellular Differentiation

• This process creates specialized cells.

Epidermis Tissue

• It is transparent and wax-covered, forming the outermost protective layer of the plant.

Parenchyma Tissue

• The main photosynthetic cells of leaves.
• It stores nutrients in roots and is the most common ground tissue.

Collenchyma Tissue

• It contains elongated living cells with irregular thick walls for support.
• This tissue is strong but flexible, and its division replaces damaged cells.

Stomata

• Pores in the epidermis of leaves and stems that are surrounded by guard cells, facilitating gas exchange.

Xylem Tissue

• It includes tracheids, vessels, and fibers.
• It transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves for photosynthesis.

Xylem Vessels

• These are chained tubes with lignified side walls, hollow for water transport from root to leaf.

Tracheids

• They transport water and provide support.
• They consist of long, thin cells with tapered ends and lignin-hardened walls.

Phloem Tissue

• It transports glucose and other dissolved sugars from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

Phloem Tissue Composition

• It consists of sieve elements for transport.
• Parenchyma cells store food.
• Companion cells provide energy, alongside fibers.

Organ

• A group of tissues that work together to perform specific functions.