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Class 9 Tissue Notes

What is a Tissue?

A tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a specific function.

• In unicellular organisms: one cell performs all functions.

• In multicellular organisms: there is a division of labor, so tissues are needed.

1. Plant Tissues

A. Meristematic Tissues (Growth Tissues)

• Made of actively dividing cells.

• Found in growing regions of the plant.

• Types:

Type Location Function

Apical Tips of roots and shoots Increases height

Lateral Sides of stems/roots Increases thickness (girth)

Increases length between

Intercalary Base of leaves, nodes
nodes

B. Permanent Tissues (Non-dividing cells)

1. Simple Permanent Tissues (Same type of cells)

Tissue Characteristics Function

Parenchyma Living, loosely packed, thin walls Storage, photosynthesis, support

Collenchyma Living, thick corners, flexible Provides flexibility and support

Sclerenchyma Dead, thick walls (lignin), hard Provides strength and rigidity

Special types:

• Chlorenchyma – Parenchyma with chlorophyll (for photosynthesis)

• Aerenchyma – Parenchyma with air spaces (in aquatic plants)

2. Complex Permanent Tissues (Different types of cells)

Tissue Transports Made of

Vessels, Tracheids, Xylem fibers, Xylem

Xylem Water
parenchyma

Sieve tubes, Companion cells, Phloem fibers,

Phloem Food
Phloem parenchyma

Animal Tissues – Detailed Notes

Animal tissues are specialized to carry out specific functions like protection, movement, support,
coordination, and transport.

There are 4 main types of animal tissues:

1. Epithelial Tissue (Covering or Protective Tissue)

➤ Function:

• Covers body surfaces (external and internal)

• Forms lining of organs and cavities

• Protects from injury, germs, and dehydration

➤ Characteristics:

• Cells are tightly packed

• No intercellular space

• Rest on a basement membrane

• No blood supply (gets nutrients from underlying tissues)

➤ Types of Epithelial Tissue:

Type Structure Location Function

Skin, lining of lungs, blood

Squamous Flat, thin Diffusion, protection
vessels

Cuboidal Cube-shaped Kidney tubules, glands Secretion, absorption

Columnar Tall, column-like Intestine lining Absorption

Ciliated Columnar with hair-like cilia Respiratory tract, oviduct Moves particles/substances

Modified Secretion of
Glandular Sweat glands, salivary glands
columnar/cuboidal hormones/enzymes
 2. Connective Tissue (Joining & Supporting Tissue)

➤ Function:

• Connects, binds, and supports other tissues/organs

• Transports substances and fights infections

➤ Characteristics:

• Most abundant tissue in animals

• Cells are scattered in matrix (can be fluid, jelly-like, or solid)

➤ Types of Connective Tissue:

Type Components Location Function

Blood RBCs, WBCs, platelets in plasma Circulatory system Transport, immunity, clotting

Bone Hard matrix of calcium & phosphorus Skeleton Support, protection, movement

Ligament Elastic tissue (bone to bone) Joints Provides flexibility & strength

Tendon Tough, non-elastic (muscle to bone) Muscles to bones Connects muscles to bones

Cartilage Smooth, elastic tissue Nose, ear, joints, trachea Smooth movement, support

Areolar Loose, fibrous tissue Between skin and muscles Fills space, supports organs

Adipose Fat-storing cells Under skin, around organs Insulation, energy storage

3. Muscular Tissue (Movement Tissue)

➤ Function:

• Responsible for all types of body movement (voluntary and involuntary)

➤ Characteristics:

• Made of elongated cells called muscle fibres

• Can contract and relax

➤ Types of Muscular Tissue:

Type Features Location Control

Long, cylindrical, multinucleated, voluntary,

Striated (Skeletal) Arms, legs, face Voluntary
has stripes

Untreated Spindle-shaped, uninucleate, no stripes, Walls of intestine, bladder,

Involuntary
(Smooth) involuntary uterus

Cardiac Branched, striped, uninucleate, involuntary Heart only Involuntary

 4. Nervous Tissue (Control & Coordination)

➤ Function:

• Transmits messages between body parts and the brain

• Controls and coordinates body functions

➤ Structure:

• Composed of neurons (nerve cells)

• Neurons have:

o Cell body (with nucleus)

o Dendrites (receive signals)

o Axon (transmits signals)

➤ Location:

• Brain, spinal cord, nerves

➤ Working:

• Neurons pass messages in the form of electrical impulses

• Helps in quick response and coordination

Quick Recap Table:

Tissue Type Function Examples

Epithelial Protection, covering Skin, lining of organs

Connective Binding, transport Blood, bone, ligament

Muscular Movement Skeletal muscles, heart, intestine wall

Nervous Coordination, control Brain, spinal cord, nerves