TISSUES

The tissue may be defined as a group of cells that have a common origin, shape and structure. They
work together to achieve a common function.

IMPORTANCE OF TISSUES

 Formation of tissues has resulted in division of labour in multicellular organisms.

 Tissues become organized to form organs and organs further get organized into organ
system.
 Origin of tissues has reduced the work load of individual cells.
 Due to improved organization and higher efficiency of tissues, multicellular organisms
have higher survival.

BLOOD, MUSCLE ARE EXAMPLES OF TISSUES

1. Are plants and animals made of same types of tissues?

There are noticeable differences between the plant and animal tissue . Some of the differences
are:-
a) Most plant tissues are supportive and provide mechanical strength. They need less energy &
maintenance , while animal tissues carry out different functions & need more energy.
b) In plants , most of the tissues are dead (provide mechanical strength as easily as lives ones)
whereas in animal tissues are living.
c) In plants , the growth is limited to certain regions but it is uniform in all the cells in animals.
d) There is clear demarcation(difference) in dividing and non dividing tissues in plants but it is
absent in animal tissues.
e) Tissue organization is simple in plants but in animals tissue organization is complex.
f) In plants , some tissue divide throughout the life & are localized in certain regions, while this
is not so in animals.

2. PLANT TISSUES

2.1 MERISTEMATIC TISSUES(DIVIDING TISSUE)

Meristematic tissues are formed of young , compactly arranged undifferentiated living cells that
keep dividing and add new cells throughout the life of a plant. They are responsible for the
growth and developments in plants.

Meristematic tissues are present in the growing regions of plant , such as tips of root , shoot &
branches.

Characterstics:-

1. The meristematic cells are small, undifferentiated(tissues where cells have not yet
developed before) & thin walled.
2. These are compactly arranged, without intercellular spaces.
3. The cells may be spherical, oval, polygonal or rectangular.
4. Cell wall is thin & made up of cellulose.
5. Cytoplasm is dense, vacuoles are small or absent.
6. Nucleus is prominent & centrally located.
7. The cells divide repeatedly throughout the life of a plant adding to its size.

Types of Meristematic Tissues

Based on their location in the plant,three types of meristem found are: apical,intercalary &
lateral meristems.

1. Apical meristem: It is found at the growing tips of stem,roots & growing young leaves. It is
responsible for the growth & elongation of roots & stem. Hence it increases the length of
plant.
2. Intercalary meristem: It is located at the base of leaves & twigs(small branch) & at the base
of internodes.
3. Lateral meristem: It helps in increasing the diameter & girth of plants. This type of growth is
called secondary growth.

2.2 PERMANENT TISSUES

Meristematic tissue takes up specific role & lose the ability to divide. As a result, they form a
permanent tissue. This process of taking up a permanent shape, size & a function is called
differentiation. Cells of meristematic tissue differentiate to form different types of
permanent tissue.
 Characterstics of permanent tissue:
 The cells of permanent tissues are differentiated & have definite shape,related to
the function they perform.
 The cells may have a thin or thick wall.
 The intercellular spaces b/w the cells may or may not be present.
 The cells may be living or dead. The nucleus is absent in dead cells & small in living
cells.
 The vacuole is absent or small. (Note)
 Cells of permanent tissues do not divide.

Differences b/w Meristematic & Permanent Tissues

Meristematic Tissues Permanent Tissue

1. Cells are small,isodiametric & undifferentiated. 1. Cells are large & differentiated or specialized

to perform different functions.

2. Cells may be rounded,oval,rectangular or [Link] are of different shapes according to the

Polygonal. type of permanent tissues.

3. Cells are living & able to divide throughout the 3. Cells may be living or non living but without

Plant life. Power of cells division.

4. Intercellular spaces are absent. [Link] spaces are often present.

5. Cell wall is thin & formed of cellulose only. [Link] wall may be thin in some tissues but

thick in others.

[Link] are filled with cytoplasm. 6. Cytoplasm forms a thin layer b/w the cell

Wall & vacuole.

[Link] is large & central. 7. Nucleus is relatively small & lies in the

Peripheral cytoplasm.

[Link] are either absent or small. 8. A large,central vacuole is usually present.

9. Rate of metabolism is high. [Link] rate is comparatively slow.

10. It is associated with plant growth. 10. It provides protection, support,

 Photosynthesis, storage & transport.

2.2.1 Simple Permanent Tissue

Simple permanent tissues are made up of only one type of structurally &
functionally similar cells. These tissues are supporting & protective in function.
Supporting provide support & strength to the plants. These are
Parenchyma,Collenchyma & sclerenchyma. Protective tissues are protective in
function. These are Epidermis & Cork.

PARENCHYMA

Parenchyma is the living tissue formed of thin wall rounded, oval or polygonal cells.
These cells are isodiametric & least specialized. They are usually loosely packed, so
that large spaces b/w cells are found on this tissue.
This tissue provides support to plant & also stores food. In some situations, it
contains chlorophyll & performs photosynthesis & then it is called
CHLORENCHYMA.

In aquatic plants,large air cavities are present in parenchyma to give buoyancy to

the plants to help them float. Such a parenchyma type is called AERENCHYMA.

The parenchyma of stems & roots also stores nutrients &water.

Parenchyma cells help in wound healing, regeneration & grafting because they can
undergo cell division.

COLLENCHYMA

The flexibility in plants is due to another permanent tissue, collenchymas. It allows

easy bending in various parts of a plant (leaf stem) without breaking. It also provides
mechanical support to plants. It is found in stalks below the epidermis. The cells of
this tissue are living, elongated & irregularly thickened at the corners. There is very
little intercellular space.

SCLERENCHYMA

It is the tissue which makes the plant hard & stiff. Ex- husk of coconut is made of
sclerenchyma tissue. The cells of this tissue are dead. They are long & narrow as the
walls are thickened due to lignin( a chemical sunbstance which acts as cement &
hardens them). Often these walls are so thick that there is no internal space inside
the cell. This tissue is present in stems,around vascular bundles,in the veins of
leaves & in the hard covering of seeds & nuts. It provides strength to the plants
parts.

EPIDERMIS

Epidermis is the outermost layer of cells. It is usually made of a single layer of cells.
In some plants living in very dry habitats,the epidermis may be thicker since
protection against water loss is critical.

Characterstics of epidermis:

 Epidermis is formed of living cells,arranged in a single layer.

 In aerial parts,epidermis is covered with a waterproof & non cellular waxy
covering called cuticle.
 Cells form a continuous layer,but in leaves epidermis has small openings
called stomata.(singular-stoma)
 Each stoma is guarded by a pair of bean shaped gurad cells which govern
opening & closing of stomatal aperture.

Functions of epidermis:

 Epidermis protects the underlying tissues from mechanical injury,chemicals &

infection.
 Cuticle of epidermis protects against water loss & dessication(process of
extreme dryness). It checks the rate of transpiration & evaporation & protects
water loss.
 Stomata in the epidermis of leaves help in gaseous exchange during respiration
& photosynthesis.
 CORK

In old dicot stems & roots,the cells of protective tissue at the periphery

Change into cork cells. In old woody stems,cork is made up of thick-walled &
suberised(existing) dead cells.

Characteristics of cork:

 Cork cells are dead & closely packed without any intercellular spaces.
 Their cell walls are deposited with waterproof, waxy substance called suberin.
 Suberin makes cork cells waterproof to water & air.

Function of cork:

It protects the plant from infection, mechanical injury & dessication.

2.2.2 Complex permanent tissue

Complex tissues are made of more than one type cells. All these cells coordinate to
perform a common function. Xylem & phloem are examples of such complex
tissues. These are found in vascular plants.
Vascular or conductive tissue is a distinctive feature of the complex plants,that has
made possible their survival in the terrestrial environment.

XYLEM

Xylem consists of tracheids,vessels,xylem parenchyma & xylem fibres. The cells have
thick walls, & many of them are dead.

 Tracheids & vessels are tubular structures. This allows them to transport
water & minerals vertically.
 The parenchyma stores food & helps in the sideways conduction of water.
 Fibres are mainly supportive in function.
 PHLOEM

Phloem contains tubes for the transport of food products from green & storage organs
of the plant to other organs.

Phloem is made up of four types of elements:

[Link] tubes

[Link] cells

[Link] fibres

[Link] parenchyma

 Sieve tubes are tabular cells with perforated walls.

 In phloem, materials can move in both directions.
 Phloem transports food from leaves to other parts of the plant.
 Except for phloem fibres, phloem cells are living cells.

XYLEM PHLOEM

1. It contains mainly dead elements. 1. It contains mainly living cells.

Xylem parenchyma cells are the only Only phloem fibres are dead cells.
Living cells.

2. It conducts water and minerals from 2. It transfers prepared food from

Roots to stem & leaves. Leaves to storage organs & growing
Points of plant body.

3. Two types of conducting elements, 3. Only one type of conducting element,

Tracheids & vessels are found. Sieve tubes are present.
 4. It also provides mechanical strength 4. Only phloem fibres provide
to the plant. Mechanical strength.

3. ANIMAL TISSUES

Based on their function, animal tissues are classified into following four types:

1. Epithelial tissue-> protective tissue or covering tissue.

2. Connective tissue-> binding tissue.
3. Muscular tissue-> contractile tissue.
4. Nervous tissue-> coordinating tissue.

Blood is a type of connective tissue & muscle forms muscular tissue.

3.1 Epithelial tissue

Epithelial tissue is protective animal tissue. It forms continuous sheet on both external and
internal surfaces of the body & body organs. Hence it is also called covering tissue.

Location of epithelial tissue

1. Epithelium occurs as a protective covering all over the body. It also covers all the body
organs. It forms the outermost layer of skin.
2. Epithelium forms lining of body cavities & cavities of all the hollow organs. It lines
oesophagus, stomach, nose, air tubes, lungs & all blood vessels.

Characteristics of Epithelial tissue

 Epithelial cells are closely placed. No intercellular spaces.

 The cells are tightly held by cell junctions & cementing substance.
 The epithelial tissue that forms the outer covering is called epithelium & the one
that lines the cavities is called endothelium.
Types of epithelial tissue

1. Squamous epithelium
2. Cuboidal epithelium
3. Columnar (ciliated) epithelium

3.1.1 Squamous epithelium

Squamous epithelium is made up of thin,flat,disc-like,polygonal cells. The nucleus is

rounded, bulging & centrally located.

1. Simple squamous epithelium: Made up of single layer of flat cells.

Ex. Oesophagus & lining of the mouth are covered with this.

2. Stratified squamous epithelium: composed of more than one layer of sqamous

cells.

Ex. Skin epithelial cells.

3.1.2 Cuboidal epithelium

Cuboidal epithelium (with cube shaped cells) forms the lining of the kidney tubules
& glands where it provides mechanical support.

Sometimes a portion of the epithelial tissue folds inward, & a multicellular gland is
formed . This is glandular epithelium.
 3.1.3 Columnar epithelium

The columnar (meaning pillar-like) epithelium facilitates movement across the

epithelial barrier.

In the respiratory tract, the columnar epithelial tissue also has cilia, which are hair
like projections on the outer surfaces of epithelial cells. These cilia can move, & their
movement pushes the mucus forward to clear it. This type of epithelium is thus
ciliated columnar epithelium.

( mucus cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins & water)

3.2 Connective Tissue

The cells of connective tissue are loosely spaced & embedded in an intercellular matrix. ( matrix
may be jelly like , fluid, dense or rigid.

It binds or connects various tissues and organs in the body and provides them rigidity , support,
and protection. It is also called packing tissue.

Characteristics

 It is formed of large intercellular matrix, connective tissue cells, & fibres.

 It has fewer number of cells scattered in the matrix.
 Matrix & fibres are secreted by cells of connective tissue.

Types of connective tissue

1. Blood :- It has a fluid matrix called plasma, in which red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells
(WBCs) & platelets are suspended. The plasma contains proteins, salts & hormones. Blood
flows and transports gases, digested food, hormones & waste materials to different parts of
a body.

2. Bone :- It forms the framework that supports the body. It is a strong & non flexible tissue.
Bone cells are embedded in a hard matrix that is composed of calcium & phosphorus
compounds.

3. Ligament :- Two bones can be connected to each other by another type of connective tissue
called the ligament. This tissue is very elastic but has considerable strength. It contains very
little matrix.
4. Tendon:- it connects muscles to bones. These are fibrous tissue with great strength but
limited flexibility.

5. Cartilage :- It has widely spaced cells. The solid matrix is composed of proteins & sugars. It
smoothens bone surfaces at joints & is also present in the nose, ear, trachea & larynx. We
can fold the cartilage of ears, but we cannot bend the bones in our arms.

6. Areolar :- It is found b/w the skin & muscles, around blood vessels & nerves & in the bone
marrow. It fills the space inside the organs, supports internal organs & helps in repair of
tissues.

3.3 Muscular Tissue

It consists of elongated cells, also called muscle fibres. This tissue is responsible for movement in
our body. Muscles contain special proteins called contractile proteins, which contract and relax
to cause movement.

3.3.1 Striated or striped muscles

The muscle fibres of striated muscle have alternate bands of dark and light colour.
Hence they are called striated muscles.
Muscles present in our limbs move when we want them to, and stop when we so
decide. Such muscles are called voluntary muscles. These muscles are also called
skeletal muscles as they are mostly attached to bones and help in body movement.

It forms 50 % of the entire body weight.

Flesh in our body is made up of striated muscles.

 These are present in the limbs, face, neck & diaphragm.

3.3.2 Unstriated muscles

Unstriated muscles are also called as smooth muscles. The movement of food in the
alimentary canal or the contraction & relaxation of blood vessels are involuntary
movements. Smooth or involuntary muscles control such movements.

They are also found in the iris, in ureters & in the bronchi of the lungs. The cells are
long with pointed ends( spindle shaped) & uninucleate.
 3.3.3 Cardiac muscles

The muscles of heart show rhythmic contraction & relaxation throughout life. These
involuntary muscles are called cardiac muscles.

 Heart muscle cells are cylindrical, branched & uninucleate.

3.4 Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissue is highly specialized tissue for receiving stimuli & the transmission or
conduction of these stimuli.

The brain, spinal cord & nerves are all composed of the nervous tissue. The cells of these
tissue are called neurons or nerve cells.

Neuron unit of nervous tissue

A neuron consists of a cell body with a nucleus & cytoplasm, from which long thin hair like
parts arise called dendrites and has a single long part called axon.
Nerve impulses allow us to move our muscles when we want to. The functional combination
of nerve and muscle tissue enables animals to move rapidly in response to stimuli.