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2. Permanent Tissues

Permanent Tissues:
  • Permanent tissues develop from meristematic cells that lose their ability to divide and become specialised for specific functions.
  • When a transverse section (T.S.) of a stem or root, or a vertical section (V.S.) of a leaf, is observed under a microscope, different tissue types can be identified, each performing a unique role.
  • Permanent tissues are classified into simple permanent tissues and complex permanent tissues.
Why Different Tissues Are Present?
 
Different groups of cells are present in plants to ensure division of labour. Each tissue is specialized to perform a specific function, such as protection, support, storage, photosynthesis, or transport, enabling the plant to function efficiently.
 
Types of Permanent Tissues:
 
SNo. Basis Simple Permanent Tissue Complex Permanent Tissue
1. Definition Made up of only one type of cell Made up of more than one type of cell working together
2. Nature of Cells Similar cells Different types of cells
3. Function Support, storage, flexibility Transport of water, minerals, and prepared food
4. Examples Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma Xylem, Phloem
5. Main role Basic functions like support and storage Conduction and transport
 
Protective Tissue – Epidermis
  • The epidermis forms the outer protective layer of the plant body. It consists of a single layer of tightly packed cells.
  • A waxy cuticle made of cutin covers the epidermis and helps reduce water loss.
  • The epidermis also protects the plant from mechanical injury, disease-causing organisms, and harsh environmental conditions.
Functions of Epidermis
  • Protects the plant from injury and infection.
  • Reduces water loss.
  • Helps in gaseous exchange through stomata.
  • Root epidermal cells form root hairs for the absorption of water and minerals. 
Transpiration helps in the upward movement of water and minerals.
 
 
YCIND_260606_8244_Tissues_2.svg
Internal Structure of a Dicot Stem (Sunflower)
 
Simple Permanent Tissues:
 
Types of Simple Permanent Tissues
  • Parenchyma
  • Collenchyma
  • Sclerenchyma
Simple Permanent Tissues – Comparative Table
             
SNo. Features Parenchyma Collenchyma Sclerenchyma
1. Cell Structure Thin-walled living cells with intercellular spaces Living cells with uneven thickening at the corners due to cellulose and pectin Thick lignified walls
2. Nature of Cells Living Living Dead
3. Intercellular Spaces Present Very less or absent Absent
4. Main Function Storage of food, photosynthesis (chlorenchyma), and floating in aquatic plants (aerenchyma) Provides support and flexibility Provides strength and rigidity
5. Special Features Can form large air cavities called aerenchyma Allows bending without breaking Forms hard and woody parts
6. Location / Examples Soft parts of plants, green leaves Leaf stalks (petiole), young stems, tendrils Coconut husk, nutshells, leaf veins, seed coats
7.

 Structure

 parenchyma.png
Parenchyma		 collenchyma.jpg
Collenchyma		 Sclerenchyma.png
Sclerenchyma
 
Complex Permanent Tissues (Conducting Tissues):
 
Complex permanent tissues consist of different types of cells that work together to transport substances throughout the plant. The two main complex tissues are xylem and phloem.
 
Xylem and Phloem – Comparative Table
             
SNo. Features Xylem Phloem
1. Definition Complex permanent tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals Complex permanent tissue responsible for the transport of prepared food
2. Main Function Transports water and dissolved minerals from roots to different parts of the plant Transports prepared food from leaves to all parts of the plant
3. Process Involved Water conduction Translocation of food
4. Direction of Transport Movement mainly upward Movement in all directions 
5. Nature of Tissue Mostly dead tissue except xylem parenchyma Mostly living tissue except phloem fibres
6. Components Tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, xylem fibres Sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres
7. Conducting Elements Tracheids and vessels Sieve tubes
8.  Support Function Provides support to the plant Provides some support to the plant
9. Cell Walls Thick and lignified Thin walls except fibres
10. Living Component Xylem parenchyma is the only living component Sieve tubes, Companion cells and phloem parenchyma are living components
11. Special Features Tracheids and vessels help in water conduction Sieve tubes have perforations, and companion cells help in sugar transport
12. Position in Vascular Bundle Usually located towards the inner side Usually located towards the outer side

13.
Structure		 YCIND_260606_8244_Tissues_3.svg
Xylem		 YCIND_260606_8244_Tissues_4.svg
Phloem
 
Tissue Systems in Plants:
 
YCIND_260606_8244_Tissues_7.svg
Tissue system in plants
 
YCIND_260529_8245_Plant tissue systems.svg
Plant tissue system
 
Sipra Guha-Mukherjee and S. C. Maheshwari
  • Sipra Guha-Mukherjee collaborated with S. C. Maheshwari in the field of plant science.
  • They made a breakthrough discovery in Plant Tissue Culture.
  • Their research led to the development of a complete plant through anther culture.
  • They used an artificial nutrient medium under controlled laboratory conditions.
  • Their pioneering work greatly contributed to crop improvement.
  • Their discovery helped in the development of better plant varieties.
  • This research brought significant progress in modern agriculture and plant biotechnology.
 
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