Plant Tissues - Plant Tissue System with their Functions

A tissue is a combination or a group of cells that are mostly similar in nature. They work together closely to perform particular functions. They often form an organizational level group for performing these functions. These functions can vary from protection, transportation, reproduction, and more. The Plant Tissue System looks at two types of tissues largely. They are Meristematic Tissue and Permanent Tissues. This division is on the basis of the function performed and the different types of cells they have. These tissues have various locations, features, organization, shapes, and more.

All these criteria decide their subdivision further. This is done to identify which part of the plants is performing what. And to make the structure of the plant more clear. The Meristematic Tissues and Permanent Tissue too have subgroups under them. These groups again have a distinctive role to play in the body of a plant. Let us first understand the basic differences between the two major tissues i.e. Meristematic and Permanent. And then we can dive into the detailed information about each of them.

Difference Between Meristematic and Permanent Tissues

BasisMeristematic TissuesPermanent TissuesDivision possibleNot PossibleCell CompositionUndifferentiated cellsDifferentiated cellsTissuesSimple OnlyCan be ComplexNature of cellsLiving Living and NonLiving**Size **Small Large **Shape Isodiametric Varies Cell SpaceCompact Compact and LooseMetabolic Rate High LowNucleus **Present Might be Absent

Let’s look at each tissue in detail now –

Meristematic Tissue

Carl Wilhelm von Nägeli came up with this term. These tissues build a plant structure with undifferentiated cells. They have living cells of different shapes. They have a large-sized nucleus and the cells have no space between them. The place or part where these cells live is meristem. These cells actively and simultaneously divide to form a special plant structure. They facilitate the increase in the length and breadth of the plant.

Characteristics of Meristematic Tissue

Meristem is a common name for the cells of these tissues.
These tissues possess self-renewal property. This allows every division of the cell to remain similar to the parent cell.
The vacuoles are small and less in number.
These tissues are alive and have thin walls.
They have a dense protoplasm.
They have healing power as well and can heal the wounds of injured plants.
The cells of these tissues are young in age.
These tissues do not store food but have high metabolic activity.
They have a single and large-sized nucleus.

Types of Meristematic Tissue – Origin

Promeristem

These tissues are the youngest meristematic tissue.
They develop from the embryo.
They are usually located in the root and the shoot tips.

Primary Meristem

They develop from the Promeristem.
The cells of these tissues divide actively.
These tissues develop and form permanent tissue.

Secondary Meristem

They develop out of primary meristem.
They form the secondary meristem.

Types of Meristematic Tissue – Position

Apical Meristem

They are located at the tips of the roots and shoots.
They facilitate the increase in height of the plants
This is by cell divisions which leads to cellular enlargement
It has two zones – the Promeristem zone and the Meristematic zone.
The first one actively divides the cells and the second contains protoderm, procambium, and ground meristem.