LECTURE 1
PLANT TISSUES and TISSUE SYSTEMS
A group of cells that perform a similar function forms a tissue.
In most cases these cells are usually of the same type, have common origin and a common function.
Some tissues are permanent/non-meristematic while others are meristematic.
The tissues produced from meristems are non-meristematic tissues or permanent tissues WHILE the
tissues produced from undifferentiated cells are meristematic tissue. Tissues vary in shape and size
depending on their function in plants.
Tissues are grouped into two categories based on the type of cells that constitute them:
Simple tissues: these are tissues composed of only one type of cells eg parenchyma,
collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues. A simple tissue is homogenous in structure
Complex tissues: these are tissues composed of more than one cell type eg xylem and phloem.
Usually heterogenous in composition.
Higher plants are organized into tissue systems where the tissues are arranged & distributed
according to the way they share various physiological and other functions. This organization ensures
that all the basic processes of the plants are able to function without interferences.
Each tissue system is made up of one or more tissues which are structurally similar or different but
perform a similar function.
There are three tissue systems in higher plants;
i. Dermal or epidermal tissue system
ii. Ground or fundamental tissue system
iii. Vascular tissue system
DERMAL TISSUE SYSTEM
This is the uppermost tissue system that cover the outer part of the plant body. It is the skin of the
plant.
The system has two tissues:
Epidermal tissue; occurs in plants having primary plant body (part of plant body arising from
the apical meristems and their derivative meristematic tissues)
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Periderm tissue; occurs in plants having secondary plant body (part of the plant body
produced by the vascular cambium and the cork cambium)
Epidermal tissue
The primary plant body is mostly covered by a single layer of cells called epidermis. In some plants
there is a bi or multi layer of cells. These cells originate from the apical meristems. The epidermal
cells are of various shapes and are compactly packed leaving no spaces between.
Under transverse section the cells are rectangular shaped. They possess large central vacuole, thin
peripheral cytoplasm and thin cell wall. The epidermis has outer layer known as cuticle which is
made of cutin. This chemical substance cutin, is a waxy/fatty water proof substance secreted by the
protoplasm of the epidermal cells.
Some of the epidermal cells are modified on the basis of their functions. For example:
Guard cells; they are bean shaped and occur in pairs. They surround an opening or stomatal pores.
They occur in leaves but also rarely in stems. They control the opening and closing of stomatal pores.
Epidermal hairs (trichomes); develop from epidermal cells especially on the aerial parts of the plant
and form hairlike structures. On the root system epidermis, there occurs root hairs which increase
surface area for absorption of water and mineral elements.
Functions of epidermis
It is primarily a covering layer which help in the protection of the internal soft tissues against
mechanical injury.
Acts as a barrier to fungi and other invaders/protects the plant from microbial infection and
degradation.
Prevents excessive evaporation of water from the internal tissues.
Serves in photosynthesis and secretion.
Acts as a store house of water in many xerophytic plants.
Some of the epidermal cells develop into the secretory tissues of nectaries, stomatal cells in
leaves and stems and the absorbing hairs in roots.
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Periderm
Some plants undergo secondary growth where the epidermis is replaced by a tissue of dead cells
(periderm tissue) which have very thick cellwalls. These cells are covered by lignin and suberin
making them impermeable to water.
There occurs open areas (lenticels) in this tissue which result from loosely packed cells and aids in
aeration.
GROUND TISSUE SYSTEM
This is the largest tissue system in a plant body. It lies between the dermal tissue system and vascular
tissue system on the inner side. The system consists of simple tissues ie parenchyma, collenchyma
and sclerenchyma.
Parenchyma tissue
Found mainly in the cortex and pith.
This tissue is composed of one type of cells called parenchyma cells.
These cells have protoplast upto maturity.
The parenchyma tissue has many intercellular spaces.
Some of the parenchyma cells occur also in vascular tissues (Xylem and phloem).
In water lilies and other plants, the intercellular spaces are quite extensive and form a network
throughout the entire plant. Such parenchyma tissues with extensive air space are referred to as
aerenchyma.
In the leaves, the parenchyma tissues contain chloroplasts hence they are called chlorenchyma.
Role of parenchyma cells
They initiate adventitious structures eg adventitious roots on stem cuttings.
Parenchyma cells associated with vascular tissues play a role in lateral transport of food and
water.
They are capable of dedifferentiating and becoming meristematic whereby they divide
repeatedly resulting to wound healing and repair of damaged plant parts.
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They undergo further specialization and form other cell types e.g. sclerenchyma, fibres
They aid in water storage and secretion.
Manufacture of food during photosynthesis as in the case of leaf mesophyll.
Storage of food materials such as carbohydrates and proteins e.g. potatoes.
Providing support when turgid: because cell walls are not thickened
Are sites of metabolism in plants such as respiration and protein synthesis
Collenchyma tissue
This tissue is made up of collenchyma cells which are living upto maturity.
Their cells have a primary wall only which has non- uniform thickness i.e their corners have thicker
CW making them well adapted for the support of young growing organs. The uneven thickening of
the cell walls is due to uneven deposition of cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectic substances (no
lignin).
The mature collenchyma cells form a strong flexible tissue that is soft hence there is no hindrance to
growth.
They are capable of assuming meristematic activity as in parenchyma cells.
The collenchyma cells occur in the stems’ cortex of herbaceous dicotyledons and are positioned just
below the epidermis. Collenchyma cells are absent in roots and monocotyledons except in some
cases.
The collenchyma tissue functions as an important support tissue; their cells can stretch because they
lack lignin.
Sclerenchyma tissue
Composed of sclerenchyma cells that lack protoplast at maturity thus dead.
The empty space for protoplast is called lumen. Lumen results from dissolving of protoplast.
The cells have thick lignified walls and therefore they are important as strengthening and supporting
elements in plants that have stopped growing.
Sclerenchyma cells occur in all mature parts of plants including the leaves, stem, roots and bark.
There are two types of sclerenchyma cells:
Sclereids
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Fibres
Sclereids are variable in shape and are often branched. They are also relatively shorter compared to
fibres. They make up seed coat of many seeds, the shells of nuts and the stone (endocarp) of the stone
fruits.
Fibres; these are long and slender cells with pointed ends and a narrow lumen. They are found on
various parts of plants and commonly occur in bundles or strands. Some are found associated with
xylem while others are located in other tissues. Fibres from the plants (such as flax, hemp, cotton jute,
sisal) are extracted to make textiles and ropes.
Both fibres and sclereids cells differentiate from parenchyma cells.
Assessment
i. Distinguish epidermis and periderm plant tissues.
ii. List the functions of parenchyma cells.
iii. State the characteristics that differentiate collenchyma cells from parenchyma cells.
iv. Describe the structure and functions of sclerenchyma tissue.
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