Summary
Meristematic, dermal, ground and vascular tissues organise the plant body.
In depth
Meristems (apical, lateral) grow; dermal tissue covers; ground tissue includes parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma; vascular tissue includes xylem and phloem.
Meristems keep growing throughout life (indeterminate growth). Parenchyma cells are versatile, carry out photosynthesis and storage and can divide. Sclerenchyma gives rigid support after the cells die.
Example: fibres from flax stems are sclerenchyma used for linen.
Parenchyma cells are thin-walled and living, doing photosynthesis, storage and wound healing; collenchyma has uneven thickened walls to support young stems (celery strings); sclerenchyma has lignified walls and is dead at maturity (fibres, sclereids such as the gritty cells of pear). Dermal tissue includes epidermis with cuticle and trichomes, and periderm (bark) in woody plants.
Meristems retain the capacity to divide: apical meristems at shoot and root tips drive length, lateral meristems drive width, and intercalary meristems at the base of grass leaves allow regrowth after grazing or mowing. Tissue organisation can be examined by slide staining: phloroglucinol stains lignin red.
Example: a potato peel contains periderm, and the white flesh is storage parenchyma.
Frequently asked questions
What is Plant Tissues?
Meristematic, dermal, ground and vascular tissues organise the plant body.
Which area of biology covers Plant Tissues, and how advanced is it?
Plant Tissues is one of the 56 topics in Plant Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Xylem, Primary and Secondary Growth, Stems.
Can you give an example of Plant Tissues?
Collenchyma supports young stems like celery strings.
What should I learn before Plant Tissues?
Work through the Beginner topics in Plant Biology first, such as Plant Kingdom, Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll, then return to Plant Tissues. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Plant Tissues?
The closest topics to Plant Tissues are Xylem, Primary and Secondary Growth, Stems, Auxin and Phototropism. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Plant Tissues?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Plant Tissues. To practise the whole of Plant Biology, use the Plant Biology quiz.
How is Plant Tissues different from Xylem?
Plant Tissues: Meristematic, dermal, ground and vascular tissues organise the plant body. Xylem: Vascular tissue made of dead cells that carries water and minerals upward from roots. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Plant Tissues step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Xylem and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Plant Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.