Plant Tissue

Plant tissues are of two types - Meristematic tissue and Permanent tissue.

Meristematic Tissue

It is found at the growing points of a plant such as at the tips of the roots, stems and branches. The main characteristics of meristematic tissue are:

• Aggregate of living cells, compactly arranged without intercellular spaces

• Thin-walled and may be rounded, oval, polygonal or rectangular in shape

• The cells are small and have a large nucleus

• They are capable of dividing indefinitely and add new cells to the plant

• They are usually found in the apices (open ends)of root and shoot

Permanent Tissue

It is made up of cells, which have lost their ability to multiply. The permanent tissues are of three types.

1. Protective Tissue

This tissue is made of cells with thick walls and occurs on the surface of leaves, stem and roots.

2. Supporting Tissue

It provides support to various parts of the plant. This tissue includes cells that fill up the interior of potatoes, which store food; found in the leaf stalks, etc.

3. Conducting Tissue

It is also called the vascular tissue. It provides passage for the fluids to move up and down in the plant. It is of two types - xylem and phloem. Xylem is located more towards the centre of the stem. It allows water and minerals absorbed from the soil to travel upwards in the plant. Phloem serves to conduct the food (sugar) synthesized in the leaves to flow downward and upward so that food reaches all other regions.