Chapter 3: Tissues in Action

From NCERT Grade 9 Science

INTRODUCTION
Life begins with a single fertilized cell called the zygote. This single cell divides
repeatedly through mitosis to produce millions and later trillions of cells. These cells
gradually specialize to form tissues, organs, and organ systems. This organization allows
living organisms to perform highly complex functions efficiently.

In multicellular organisms, all cells do not perform the same work. Different groups of cells
become specialized for:

• Protection
• Support
• Transport
• Movement
• Communication
• Growth

This specialization creates division of labour, making the body more efficient.

MAIN IDEA
Cells
↓
Tissues
↓
Organs
↓
Organ Systems
↓
Organism

Important Concept

Cells of similar structure performing similar functions group together to form tissues.

More than one tissue forms organs.

Organs work together as organ systems.
All organ systems together form an organism.
 IMPORTANCE OF THE CHAPTER
In Plants
Plants cannot move from place to place. Therefore, they require:

• Strong supporting tissues

• Conducting tissues
• Protective tissues

In Animals
Animals move actively and respond rapidly. Therefore, they require:

• Muscular tissues
• Nervous tissues
• Flexible connective tissues

Core Concept

The structure of tissues depends on their function.

REAL-LIFE CONNECTIONS
Daily Observation Tissue Responsible
Grass grows again after cutting Intercalary meristem
Coconut shell is hard Sclerenchyma
Stem bends without breaking Collenchyma
Instant withdrawal from hot object Nervous tissue
Heart beats continuously Cardiac muscle

BASIC OVERVIEW
PLANT TISSUES
Plants mainly contain:
 • Meristematic tissues
• Permanent tissues

ANIMAL TISSUES
Animals mainly contain:

• Epithelial tissues
• Connective tissues
• Muscular tissues
• Nervous tissues

TOPIC 1: PLANT TISSUES

Definition of Tissue
A tissue is a group of cells similar in structure and function working together to perform a
specific task.

Differentiation
The process in which meristematic cells lose the ability to divide and become specialized
permanent tissues is called differentiation.

WHY DO PLANTS NEED

SPECIALIZED TISSUES?
Plants are stationary organisms. They require:

• Structural strength
• Water transport
• Food transport
• Protection
• Growth

Hence, specialized tissues evolved.

 1. MERISTEMATIC TISSUES
(Growth Tissues)
Definition
Meristematic tissues consist of actively dividing cells responsible for plant growth.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
MERISTEMATIC CELLS
Feature Description
Cell wall Thin
Cytoplasm Dense
Nucleus Large & prominent
Vacuoles Absent
Arrangement Closely packed
Intercellular spaces Absent

WHY ARE VACUOLES ABSENT?

Meristematic cells:

• Divide continuously
• Do not store food
• Need dense active cytoplasm

Hence, vacuoles are absent.

FLOWCHART — MERISTEMATIC
TISSUES
Actively Dividing Cells
↓
Meristematic Tissue
↓
Plant Growth

TYPES OF MERISTEMATIC
TISSUES

A. APICAL MERISTEM
Location
• Root tips
• Shoot tips

Function
Increases length of plant.

Example

Growth in height of stem.

B. LATERAL MERISTEM
Location
Along sides of stem and root.

Function
Increases girth/thickness.

Extra Information

Responsible for secondary growth in woody trees.

Example
Annual rings in trees.

C. INTERCALARY MERISTEM
Location
At nodes/internodes.

Function
Rapid regeneration and elongation.

Example

Grass grows again after grazing.

FLOWCHART — TYPES OF
MERISTEMS
Meristematic Tissue
↓
--------------------------------
↓ ↓ ↓
Apical Lateral Intercalary
Length Girth Regeneration

CASE STUDY — ONION ROOT

EXPERIMENT
Observation
Two onion bulbs placed in water:

• Root tips intact → roots grow

• Root tips cut → growth stops

Conclusion
Apical meristem at root tip controls elongation.

2. PERMANENT TISSUES
Definition
Permanent tissues are formed when meristematic cells lose the ability to divide.

FLOWCHART — PERMANENT
TISSUES
Meristematic Tissue
↓
Differentiation
↓
Permanent Tissue
↓
-----------------------------
↓ ↓
Simple Complex
Permanent Permanent

SIMPLE PERMANENT TISSUES

Made of one type of cells.

A. PARENCHYMA
Characteristics
• Living cells
• Thin walls
• Large intercellular spaces

Functions
 Storage of food
Photosynthesis
Healing & repair

AERENCHYMA
Specialized parenchyma with air spaces.

Function

Provides buoyancy to aquatic plants.

Example

Water hyacinth floats due to aerenchyma.

CHLORENCHYMA
Parenchyma containing chlorophyll.

Function

Photosynthesis.

B. COLLENCHYMA
Characteristics
• Living elongated cells
• Uneven thickening at corners
• Pectin deposition

Functions
Flexibility
Mechanical support
Example

Leaf stalks and tendrils bend easily.

C. SCLERENCHYMA
Characteristics
• Dead cells
• Thick lignified walls
• No protoplasm

Functions
Strength
Rigidity
Hardness

Example

• Coconut husk
• Walnut shell

EXTRA INFORMATION — LIGNIN

Lignin:

• Acts like cement

• Waterproofs walls
• Makes tissues woody

PROTECTIVE TISSUE —
EPIDERMIS
Functions
 Protection
Reduces water loss
Prevents infections

CUTICLE
Waxy layer made of cutin.

Importance

Prevents transpiration.

Extra Fact

Thicker cuticle found in desert plants

STOMATA
Tiny pores in epidermis.

Functions
• Gas exchange
• Transpiration

ROOT HAIRS
Epidermal extensions increasing surface area.

Function
Absorption of water & minerals.

CORK
Produced by cork cambium.

Features
• Dead compact cells
• Waterproof
• Forms bark

COMPLEX PERMANENT TISSUES

Made of different cell types working together.

XYLEM
Function
Transport of water and minerals upward.

Components
Component Living/Dead
Tracheids Dead
Vessels Dead
Xylem fibres Dead
Xylem parenchyma Living

EXTRA INFORMATION —
TRANSPIRATION PULL
Water evaporates from leaves
↓
Negative pressure develops
↓
Water pulled upward in xylem
 PHLOEM
Function
Transport of food in all directions.

Components
Component Living/Dead
Sieve tubes Living
Companion cells Living
Phloem parenchyma Living
Phloem fibres Dead

EXTRA INFORMATION —
TRANSLOCATION
Movement of food through phloem is called translocation.

Requires:
ATP energy

FLOWCHART — VASCULAR
TISSUES
Complex Permanent Tissue
↓
-------------------------
↓ ↓
Xylem Phloem
Water Food
Transport Transport

CASE STUDY — TOTIPOTENCY

Scientist
F. C. Steward (1958)

Experiment
Mature carrot phloem cells placed in nutrient medium.

Observation

Cells:

• Dedifferentiated
• Divided rapidly
• Formed complete plantlets

Conclusion

Mature plant cells can regenerate whole plants.

This property is called:

Totipotency

EXTRA INFORMATION — PLANT

TISSUE CULTURE
Used in:

• Rapid plant propagation

• Disease-free plants
• Orchid cultivation
• Banana cultivation

TOPIC 2: ANIMAL TISSUES

Animals require:

• Rapid movement
• Coordination
• Flexibility
• Fast responses

Hence animal tissues are highly specialized.

 1. EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Definition
Protective covering tissue of body surfaces and organs.

CHARACTERISTICS
Closely packed cells
Almost no intercellular space
Rapid regeneration

TYPES OF EPITHELIUM

SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
Thin flat cells.

Function
Diffusion.

Found in:

• Lung alveoli
• Blood vessels

STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
Many layers.
 Function
Protection from wear & tear.

Found in:

• Skin
• Mouth lining

CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM
Cube-shaped cells.

Function
Secretion.

Found in:

• Sweat glands
• Salivary glands

COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
Tall pillar-shaped cells.

Function
Absorption & secretion.

CILIATED EPITHELIUM
Contains cilia.

Function
Movement of materials.
Example

Moves mucus in respiratory tract.

2. CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Definition
Connects and supports body parts.

MATRIX
The material surrounding connective tissue cells.

BLOOD
Matrix
Plasma

Components
Component Function
RBCs Oxygen transport
WBCs Immunity
Platelets Clotting

BONE
Hard connective tissue rich in calcium and phosphorus.

Functions
 Support
Protection
Movement

EXTRA INFORMATION
Bone marrow produces blood cells.

CARTILAGE
Flexible connective tissue.

Function
Shock absorption.

Found in:

• Nose
• Ear
• Joints

TENDON VS LIGAMENT
Tendon Ligament
Muscle to bone Bone to bone
Tough & less elastic Elastic
Helps movement Prevents dislocation

3. MUSCULAR TISSUE
Specialized for contraction.
 COMPARISON OF MUSCLES
Feature Skeletal Smooth Cardiac
Control Voluntary Involuntary Involuntary
Shape Cylindrical Spindle Branched
Nuclei Many One One
Striations Present Absent Faint
Fatigue Quick Slow Never

EXTRA INFORMATION —
CARDIAC MUSCLE
Cardiac muscles:

• Beat rhythmically
• Work throughout life
• Never fatigue normally

4. NERVOUS TISSUE
Controls coordination and responses.

NEURON STRUCTURE
Dendrites
↓
Cell Body
↓
Axon
↓
Axon Terminals

NERVE IMPULSE PATHWAY

Stimulus
↓
Receptor
 ↓
Neuron
↓
Brain/Spinal Cord
↓
Response

REFLEX ACTION
Fast automatic response without conscious thinking.

Example

Pulling hand away from flame.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Combination of:

• Bones
• Muscles
• Joints
• Tendons
• Ligaments

Working together for movement.

TYPES OF JOINTS
Joint Example Movement
Fixed Skull No movement
Pivot Neck Rotation
Hinge Elbow One direction
Ball & socket Shoulder All directions

FLOWCHART — BODY
MOVEMENT
Nervous Tissue
↓
Muscles Receive Signals
↓
Bones Move at Joints
↓
Body Movement

IMPORTANT NCERT LINES

• “Division of labour increases efficiency.”
• “Meristematic tissues are responsible for growth.”
• “Cardiac muscles work tirelessly throughout life.”
• “Muscles cannot function independently; they receive instructions from nervous
tissue.”
• “Some mature plant cells show totipotency.”

QUICK REVISION FLOWCHART

Cells
↓
Tissues
↓
--------------------------------
↓ ↓
Plant Tissues Animal Tissues
↓ ↓
Meristematic Epithelial
Permanent Connective
Xylem/Phloem Muscular
Nervous

KEYWORDS
• Tissue
• Meristem
• Differentiation
• Totipotency
• Parenchyma
• Collenchyma
• Sclerenchyma
• Xylem
• Phloem
• Epidermis
• Cuticle
 • Lignin
• Neuron
• Tendon
• Ligament
• Cartilage
• Cardiac muscle
• Transpiration
• Translocation

EXTRA CBSE-LEVEL QUESTIONS

Short Answer
1. Why are sclerenchyma cells dead?
2. Differentiate between xylem and phloem.
3. Why is cartilage flexible?
4. What is transpiration pull?

Long Answer
1. Explain simple permanent tissues with diagrams.
2. Compare all muscular tissues.
3. Explain neuron structure and nerve impulse transmission.

FINAL MESSAGE
Tissues are the foundation of multicellular life. Their specialization allows living organisms
to:

• Grow
• Move
• Protect themselves
• Transport materials
• Respond rapidly

The coordination of tissues ultimately sustains life itself.