Question

Deepa observed two slides of plant tissues. She was told one contained parenchyma cells, while the other slide had sclerenchyma cells. How can she confirm the slide with sclerenchyma cells?

• A. By the presence of cells with a large central vacuole.
• B. By the presence of green colour pigment called chlorophyll.
• C. By the presence of cells with thick cell walls.
• D. By the presence of cells with many nuclei.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

By the presence of cells with thick cell walls.

Sclerenchyma is a dead simple permanent tissue in plants. The walls of sclerenchyma cells are thick due to the deposition of a complex sugar called lignin. For example, husk of a coconut. Parenchyma tissue on the other hand, is a living tissue. It consists of relatively unspecialised cells with thin cell walls.