Question

Differentiate between fibres and sclereids.

Answer 1

Fibres:

1. Fibres are dead sclerenchyma cells that are long, narrow, and thick in shape.
2. The fibres provide mechanical strength to the plants and protect the plant from strong winds.

Sclereids:

1. Sclereids are also dead sclerenchyma cells but are irregular in shape.
2. They provide stiffness and rigidity to the seed coat.

Fibres	Sclereids
Fibres are thick, narrow and elongated cells.	Sclereids are broad cells with irregular shapes.
2. They provide mechanical strength to the plants.	2. They provide stiffness and rigidity to seed coats.
3. They occur in bundles.	3. They occur in single or loose groups.
4. They have tapering end walls.	4. They have blunt end walls.