Chapter: Tissues
Introduction
A tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a specific function. The study of tissues is known
as histology. In multicellular organisms, different types of tissues work together to form organs,
which in turn form organ systems.
There are two major types of tissues:
1. Plant Tissues
2. Animal Tissues
Plant Tissues
Plant tissues are classified into two types:
1. Meristematic Tissues (Growth tissues)
2. Permanent Tissues (Specialized tissues)
1. Meristematic Tissue
Meristematic tissues consist of actively dividing cells and are responsible for the growth of the
plant.
Types of Meristematic Tissue
Based on location, meristematic tissues are classified as:
1. Apical Meristem: Present at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for the increase in
height of plants.
2. Lateral Meristem: Found in the sides of stems and roots, responsible for the increase in
thickness or girth of the plant.
3. Intercalary Meristem: Located at the base of leaves or internodes, responsible for
regrowth of grasses and other plants.
Characteristics of Meristematic Tissue:
Cells are small and have a dense cytoplasm.
Large nuclei, no vacuoles, and thin cell walls.
Cells continuously divide and help in growth.
2. Permanent Tissues
Permanent tissues are derived from meristematic tissues and have lost the ability to divide. They
are classified into two types:
1. Simple Permanent Tissues
2. Complex Permanent Tissues
(a) Simple Permanent Tissue
These tissues are made up of similar types of cells that perform the same function. They are of
three types:
1. Parenchyma: A simple tissue with thin-walled living cells. Functions include
photosynthesis (chlorenchyma), storage of food (starch), and buoyancy (aerenchyma in
aquatic plants).
2. Collenchyma: Composed of elongated living cells with thickened cell walls. Provides
mechanical support and flexibility to plants.
3. Sclerenchyma: Made up of dead cells with thickened walls due to lignin. Provides
strength and rigidity to plants. Examples include fibers and sclereids.
(b) Complex Permanent Tissue
These tissues consist of different types of cells working together. They are of two types:
1. Xylem (Conducts water and minerals from roots to different parts of the plant):
o Tracheids: Long, tubular, dead cells for conduction.
o Vessels: Cylindrical dead cells, function as pipelines.
o Xylem Parenchyma: Living cells for storage of food.
o Xylem Fibers: Provide mechanical support.
2. Phloem (Transports food from leaves to all parts of the plant):
o Sieve Tubes: Long, tube-like structures for food conduction.
o Companion Cells: Assist sieve tubes in transport.
o Phloem Parenchyma: Stores food.
o Phloem Fibers: Provide mechanical support.
Animal Tissues
Animal tissues are classified into four main types:
1. Epithelial Tissue (Covering and protection)
2. Connective Tissue (Binding and support)
3. Muscular Tissue (Movement)
4. Nervous Tissue (Signal transmission)
1. Epithelial Tissue
Epithelial tissue forms the outer layer of the body and lines internal organs. It is classified into:
1. Squamous Epithelium: Flat, thin cells found in blood vessels, lungs (helps in diffusion
and filtration).
2. Cuboidal Epithelium: Cube-shaped cells found in glands and kidney tubules (helps in
secretion and absorption).
3. Columnar Epithelium: Column-like cells found in the intestine (helps in absorption and
secretion).
4. Ciliated Epithelium: Columnar cells with cilia, found in the respiratory tract (helps in
movement of mucus and particles).
5. Glandular Epithelium: Modified epithelium that secretes substances like hormones,
enzymes, and mucus.
2. Connective Tissue
Connective tissue supports, binds, and connects different parts of the body. It includes:
1. Areolar Tissue: Loose connective tissue found beneath the skin, between muscles
(provides support and elasticity).
2. Adipose Tissue: Stores fat, provides insulation and protection.
3. Bone: Hard tissue that forms the skeleton, provides structural support.
4. Cartilage: Flexible tissue found in joints, nose, and ear.
5. Ligaments: Connect bone to bone, provide flexibility.
6. Tendons: Connect muscle to bone, provide strength.
7. Blood: A fluid connective tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste.
3. Muscular Tissue
Muscular tissue helps in movement and locomotion. It is classified into:
1. Striated (Skeletal) Muscles: Voluntary muscles attached to bones, responsible for
movement. They have striations (stripes) and are multinucleated.
2. Unstriated (Smooth) Muscles: Involuntary muscles found in the digestive tract and
blood vessels, help in involuntary movements.
3. Cardiac Muscles: Found in the heart, involuntary, striated, and responsible for
continuous heartbeats.
4. Nervous Tissue
Nervous tissue is specialized for transmitting electrical signals. It consists of neurons (nerve
cells) with three main parts:
Cell Body: Contains the nucleus.
Dendrites: Receive signals.
Axon: Transmits signals to other neurons or muscles.
Conclusion
Tissues are fundamental for the structure and function of both plants and animals. Plant tissues
help in growth, transport, and support, while animal tissues aid in protection, movement,
coordination, and support. Understanding tissues helps in learning how organisms function at a
cellular and systemic level.