Tissues – Notes
Introduction
Tissue → Group of cells similar in origin, structure & function.
In multicellular organisms, tissues provide division of labour & increase efficiency.
Histology = study of tissues.
Plant Tissues
1. Meristematic Tissue
Definition: Actively dividing cells responsible for plant growth.
Location Types:
1. Apical Meristem → root & shoot tips → increases length.
2. Intercalary Meristem → base of leaves/internodes → regeneration &
elongation.
3. Lateral Meristem → cambium in stems/roots → increases girth.
Difference Table – Meristematic vs Permanent Tissue
Feature Meristematic Tissue Permanent Tissue
Cell division Active No cell division
Cell wall Thin cellulose May be thick, lignified
Vacuole Absent/small Large, central
Nucleus Large, prominent Small, less prominent
Function Growth Specialized functions (support, transport, storage)
2. Permanent Tissue
Formed from meristematic tissue after losing ability to divide.
A. Simple Permanent Tissue
1. Parenchyma – living, thin-walled, stores food.
2. Collenchyma – living, unevenly thick walls, flexibility.
3. Sclerenchyma – dead, lignified thick walls, rigidity.
B. Complex Permanent Tissue
Xylem – transports water/minerals (tracheids, vessels, fibres, parenchyma).
Phloem – transports food (sieve tubes, companion cells, fibres, parenchyma).
Difference Table – Simple vs Complex Permanent Tissue
Feature Simple Permanent Tissue Complex Permanent Tissue
Cell type One type of cell More than one type
Function Basic (support, storage) Specialized transport
Examples Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma Xylem, Phloem
Animal Tissues (Till Epithelial)
1. Epithelial Tissue
Definition: Covers body surfaces, lines organs, forms glands.
Functions: Protection, absorption, secretion, excretion.
Features:
o Cells tightly packed, little intercellular space.
o Rest on basement membrane.
o Avascular (no blood supply).
Types of Epithelial Tissue
Type Structure Function Location
Squamous Flat, thin Diffusion, filtration Alveoli, blood vessels
Cuboidal Cube-shaped Secretion, absorption Kidney tubules, glands
Columnar Tall, pillar-like Absorption, secretion Intestine, stomach
Ciliated With cilia Move substances Trachea, fallopian tubes
Modified for Secretes enzymes, Sweat glands, endocrine
Glandular
secretion hormones glands
Chapter 6 – Tissues (Plant & Animal Tissue till Epithelial
Tissue)
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the following is a permanent simple tissue in plants?
a) Xylem
b) Phloem
c) Collenchyma
d) Cambium
Answer: c) Collenchyma
2. The function of guard cells is to:
a) Provide mechanical support
b) Transport food
c) Regulate opening and closing of stomata
d) Transport water
Answer: c) Regulate opening and closing of stomata
3. Which plant tissue is responsible for increase in the girth of stems?
a) Apical meristem
b) Lateral meristem
c) Intercalary meristem
d) Permanent tissue
Answer: b) Lateral meristem
4. Xylem in plants conducts:
a) Water only
b) Food only
c) Both food and water
d) Only hormones
Answer: a) Water only
5. Which type of epithelial tissue forms the lining of kidney tubules?
a) Squamous epithelium
b) Cuboidal epithelium
c) Columnar epithelium
d) Ciliated epithelium
Answer: b) Cuboidal epithelium
6. The thickening in collenchyma cells is mainly due to:
a) Lignin
b) Pectin and cellulose
c) Cutin
d) Suberin
Answer: b) Pectin and cellulose
7. Which meristem is found at the base of leaves or internodes?
a) Apical meristem
b) Lateral meristem
c) Intercalary meristem
d) Cambium
Answer: c) Intercalary meristem
II. Short Answer Based Questions (SBQs)
1. Name the tissue that provides flexibility in plants and mention its main component.
Answer: Collenchyma; thickening due to pectin and cellulose.
2. State one difference between apical and lateral meristem.
Answer:
o Apical meristem: Present at root and shoot tips; increases length.
o Lateral meristem: Present in cambium; increases girth.
3. Mention the main function of phloem in plants.
Answer: Transport of food from leaves to other parts of the plant.
4. Where is cuboidal epithelium found in the human body?
Answer: In kidney tubules and glands; used for secretion and absorption.
5. Name the protective tissue in plants and state its function.
Answer: Cork (phellem); prevents water loss and protects from injury.
III. Long Answer Based Questions (LQBs)
1. Describe the different types of simple permanent tissues in plants with their structure
and functions.
Answer:
o Parenchyma: Living cells, thin cell walls; store food, photosynthesis
(chlorenchyma), help in floating (aerenchyma).
o Collenchyma: Living cells with pectin and cellulose thickening; provides
mechanical support and flexibility.
o Sclerenchyma: Dead cells with lignin; provide rigidity and strength.
2. Explain the structure and function of various types of epithelial tissues in animals.
Answer:
o Squamous epithelium: Flat cells; diffusion (alveoli).
o Cuboidal epithelium: Cube-shaped cells; secretion and absorption (kidney
tubules).
o Columnar epithelium: Tall cells; absorption and secretion (intestine).
o Ciliated epithelium: With cilia; movement of substances (respiratory tract).
o Glandular epithelium: Modified columnar/cuboidal; secretion of substances
(glands).
3. Compare meristematic and permanent tissues on the basis of structure, location, and
function.
IV. Case-Based Questions (CBQs)
Case 1:
A farmer notices that the young shoots of his plants are growing taller every week. He also
observes that the stem is becoming thicker with age.
Questions:
a) Which tissues are responsible for the increase in height and thickness?
b) Where are these tissues located?
c) Give one difference between their growth functions.
Answers:
a) Apical meristem (height), lateral meristem (thickness).
b) Apical meristem – tips of roots and shoots; Lateral meristem – cambium in stem.
c) Apical meristem increases length; lateral meristem increases girth.
Case 2:
During a biology lab, a student observes an onion peel under the microscope and notices
closely packed rectangular cells without intercellular spaces.
Questions:
a) Which type of tissue is being observed?
b) What is the main function of this tissue?
c) Name one animal tissue that is similar in having tightly packed cells.
Answers:
a) Parenchyma tissue (in plants).
b) Storage of food and support.
c) Epithelial tissue (in animals).
