Class 9 Science – Chapter 6: Tissues
Plant Tissues
1. Meristematic Tissue
• Cells divide actively → growth.
• Small, thin-walled, dense cytoplasm, no intercellular spaces.
• Types:
o Apical: tips of roots and shoots → lengthwise growth.
o Lateral: sides of stems and roots → increase in girth.
o Intercalary: base of leaves/nodes → regrowth (grasses).
2. Permanent Tissue
A. Simple Permanent Tissue
• Parenchyma: thin-walled, loosely packed, stores food/water, example: pith.
• Collenchyma: thickened at corners, flexible support, example: celery stalk.
• Sclerenchyma: thick, lignified walls, rigid support, dead at maturity, example: stone cells of
pear.
B. Complex Permanent Tissue
• Xylem: conducts water and minerals. Components: tracheids, vessels, fibers, xylem
parenchyma.
• Phloem: conducts food (sucrose). Components: sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem fibers,
phloem parenchyma.
Animal Tissues
1. Epithelial Tissue
• Covers body surface, lines organs and cavities.
• Types:
o Squamous: flat, lungs & blood vessels.
o Cuboidal: cube-shaped, kidney tubules.
o Columnar: tall, intestine lining.
o Ciliated: with cilia, trachea.
2. Connective Tissue
• Supports, binds, connects organs.
• Types:
o Loose (areolar): binds skin to organs.
o Adipose: stores fat, insulates.
o Cartilage: flexible support (ear, nose, joints).
o Bone: hard, supports and protects organs.
o Blood: liquid, transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones.
3. Muscular Tissue
• Specialized for contraction, movement.
• Types:
o Skeletal: voluntary, striated, attached to bones.
o Smooth: involuntary, non-striated, stomach/intestines.
o Cardiac: involuntary, striated, heart.
4. Nervous Tissue
• Composed of neurons.
• Transmit messages via electrical impulses.
• Neuron structure: cell body (nucleus), dendrites (receive signals), axon (transmit signals).
Important Definitions – Tissues
Plant Tissues
• Tissue: Group of cells with similar structure and function.
• Meristematic Tissue: Actively dividing cells responsible for plant growth.
• Permanent Tissue: Mature tissue derived from meristem; cells lose division ability.
• Parenchyma: Thin-walled, loosely packed cells for storage, photosynthesis, and support.
• Collenchyma: Cells with thickened corners providing flexible support.
• Sclerenchyma: Thick, lignified cells; rigid support; dead at maturity.
• Xylem: Complex tissue conducting water and minerals; consists of tracheids, vessels, fibers,
parenchyma.
• Phloem: Complex tissue transporting food; consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, fibers,
parenchyma.
Animal Tissues
• Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines organs/cavities.
• Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and connects organs.
• Muscular Tissue: Specialized for contraction and movement.
• Nervous Tissue: Made of neurons; transmits impulses.
• Neuron: Functional unit of nervous tissue; has cell body, dendrites, axon.
• Adipose Tissue: Stores fat and insulates body.
• Cartilage: Flexible support tissue found in joints, ear, nose, etc.