Chapter – Tissue Notes

1. What is a tissue?
A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.
2. What is the level of structural organization in multicellular organisms?
Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ System → Organism.
3. What is the importance of tissues in multicellular organisms?
Tissues divide work among cells, increase efficiency, and help different body parts perform specialized functions.
4. What are the two main types of plant tissues?
Meristematic tissue and Permanent tissue.
5. What is meristematic tissue?
Meristematic tissue consists of actively dividing cells responsible for the growth of plants.
6. What is permanent tissue?
Permanent tissue is made of mature cells that have lost the ability to divide and perform specific functions.
7. Write any four differences between meristematic and permanent tissues.
Meristematic cells divide continuously, are small, have thin walls, and lack vacuoles. Permanent cells do not divide, are
larger, have vacuoles, and may have thick or thin cell walls.
8. Name the three types of meristematic tissue.
Apical meristem, Intercalary meristem and Lateral meristem.
9. What is the function of apical meristem?
It increases the length of roots and shoots and causes primary growth.
10. What is the function of intercalary meristem?
It helps in the elongation of internodes and leaves.
11. What is the function of lateral meristem?
It increases the thickness (girth) of stems and roots, causing secondary growth.
12. How do meristematic tissues help in healing plant wounds?
Meristematic cells divide rapidly to produce new cells that repair damaged tissues.
13. What is cell differentiation?
Cell differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized in shape, size and function.
14. How are permanent tissues classified?
Permanent tissues are classified into Simple Permanent Tissue and Complex Permanent Tissue.
15. What are simple permanent tissues?
They are tissues made up of only one type of similar cells performing the same function.
16. Name the three types of simple permanent tissues.
Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma.
17. What are the characteristics of parenchyma tissue?
Parenchyma consists of living, thin-walled, loosely packed cells with intercellular spaces. It stores food and provides
support.
18. What is chlorenchyma?
Chlorenchyma is a type of parenchyma containing chlorophyll that performs photosynthesis.
19. What is aerenchyma?
Aerenchyma is a type of parenchyma with large air spaces that help aquatic plants float.
20. What are the characteristics and functions of collenchyma?
Collenchyma has living cells with thickened corners. It provides support and flexibility to young stems and leaf stalks.
21. What are the characteristics of sclerenchyma?
Sclerenchyma consists of dead cells with thick, lignified walls. It provides strength and hardness to plants.
22. Give one example of sclerenchyma.
The hard husk of a coconut is made of sclerenchyma tissue.
23. What are complex permanent tissues?
Complex permanent tissues are made up of different types of cells working together to perform a common function.
24. Name the two types of complex permanent tissues.
Xylem and Phloem.
25. What is the function of xylem?
Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to other parts of the plant and provides mechanical support.
26. Name the four elements of xylem.
Tracheids, Vessels, Xylem parenchyma and Xylem fibres.
27. Which is the only living element of xylem?
Xylem parenchyma.
28. What is the function of tracheids?
Tracheids conduct water and minerals, mainly in gymnosperms.
29. What is the function of vessels?
Vessels conduct water efficiently in angiosperms.
30. What is the function of xylem parenchyma?
It stores food, mainly starch.
31. What is the function of xylem fibres?
They provide mechanical support to the plant.
32. What are annual rings?
Annual rings are xylem rings present in the trunk of a tree. They help determine the age of the tree.
33. What is the function of phloem?
Phloem transports food from leaves to all parts of the plant.
34. Name the four elements of phloem.
Sieve tubes, Companion cells, Phloem fibres and Phloem parenchyma.
35. What is the function of sieve tubes?
They transport food throughout the plant.
36. What is the function of companion cells?
They help sieve tubes in the transport of food.
37. What is the function of phloem fibres?
They provide mechanical support.
38. What is the function of phloem parenchyma?
It stores food and helps in the sideways conduction of food.
39. Write two differences between xylem and phloem.
Xylem transports water and minerals, whereas phloem transports food. Xylem transport is mostly unidirectional, while
phloem transport is bidirectional.
40. What is epidermis?
Epidermis is the outer protective covering of plants.
41. Mention any two functions of epidermis.
It protects plants from injury and reduces water loss.
42. What is cork?
Cork is the outer protective covering of old stems and roots.
43. What is suberin?
Suberin is a waterproof substance present in the cell walls of cork.
44. Name the four types of animal tissues.
Epithelial tissue, Connective tissue, Muscular tissue and Nervous tissue.
45. What is epithelial tissue?
Epithelial tissue covers the body surface, lines internal organs and cavities, and mainly provides protection.
46. Name the five types of epithelial tissue.
Squamous epithelium, Stratified squamous epithelium, Cuboidal epithelium, Columnar epithelium and Ciliated
epithelium.
47. Where is squamous epithelium found?
It is found in the lining of blood vessels, alveoli of lungs and the inner surface of the mouth.
48. Where is cuboidal epithelium found?
It is found in kidney tubules and salivary glands.
49. Where is columnar epithelium found?
It is found in the inner lining of the intestine and alimentary canal.
50. Where is ciliated epithelium found?
It is found in the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, nasal cavity, uterus and fallopian tubes.
51. What is muscular tissue?
Muscular tissue helps in the movement of the body by contraction and relaxation.
52. Name the three types of muscular tissue.
Striated muscle, Smooth (non-striated) muscle and Cardiac muscle.
53. What are striated muscles?
Striated muscles are voluntary muscles attached to bones. They are multinucleated, unbranched and become tired after
work.
54. What are smooth muscles?
Smooth muscles are involuntary, spindle-shaped muscles found in the walls of internal organs.
55. Where are smooth muscles found?
They are found in the walls of the stomach, intestine, urinary bladder, bronchi and iris of the eye.
56. What are cardiac muscles?
Cardiac muscles are involuntary, branched muscles found only in the walls of the heart. They contract rhythmically
throughout life.
57. Give two characteristics of cardiac muscles.
They are branched and uninucleated. They contain intercalated discs and do not get tired.
58. What is connective tissue?
Connective tissue connects, supports, protects and binds different parts of the body together.
59. Name any five functions of connective tissue.
It provides structural support, connects body parts, protects against infections, stores fat and fills spaces between organs.
60. What is blood?
Blood is a fluid connective tissue that transports gases, nutrients, hormones and waste materials throughout the body.
61. What are the main components of blood?
Blood consists of plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets.
62. What is plasma?
Plasma is the liquid part of blood. It forms about 55% of blood and transports nutrients, hormones and waste materials.
63. What is the function of red blood cells (RBCs)?
RBCs contain haemoglobin and transport oxygen to different parts of the body.
64. What is the function of white blood cells (WBCs)?
WBCs protect the body from diseases by destroying germs and other foreign particles.
65. What is the function of platelets?
Platelets help in the clotting of blood and prevent excessive bleeding.
66. What is a tendon?
A tendon is a strong connective tissue that connects muscles to bones.
67. What is a ligament?
A ligament is an elastic connective tissue that connects one bone to another bone.
68. Differentiate between tendon and ligament.
A tendon connects muscle to bone and is tough and less elastic. A ligament connects bone to bone and is strong but
elastic.
69. What is bone?
Bone is a hard connective tissue that forms the framework of the body and provides support and protection.
70. What is cartilage?
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in the nose, ear, larynx and joints.
71. What is areolar tissue?
Areolar tissue is the most widely distributed connective tissue. It fills spaces between organs and supports internal
organs.
72. What is adipose tissue?
Adipose tissue is a connective tissue that stores fat and helps in insulation and temperature regulation.
73. What is nervous tissue?
Nervous tissue is a specialized tissue that receives stimuli and transmits nerve impulses.
74. What is a neuron?
A neuron is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system.
75. Name the parts of a neuron.
Dendrites, Cell body (Cyton), Axon and Nerve endings.
76. What is the function of dendrites?
Dendrites receive nerve impulses and carry them to the cell body.
77. What is the function of the cell body (cyton)?
The cell body contains the nucleus and controls the activities of the neuron.
78. What is the function of the axon?
The axon carries nerve impulses away from the cell body to the nerve endings.
79. What is the function of nerve endings?
Nerve endings pass nerve impulses to the next neuron or to muscles and glands.
80. Give two differences between plant tissues and animal tissues.
Plant tissues mainly provide support and growth, whereas animal tissues help in movement and coordination. Plant
growth is limited to specific regions, while animal growth occurs throughout the body.
81. What is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system?
The neuron is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system.
82. Which is the longest cell in the human body?
The neuron (nerve cell) is the longest cell in the human body.
83. Why are companion cells called sister cells of sieve tubes?
Companion cells and sieve tube cells originate from the same mother cell, so they are called sister cells.
84. Which tissue helps aquatic plants float on water?
Aerenchyma tissue helps aquatic plants float because it contains large air spaces.