Question

The living cells which provide tensile strength are

• A. Parenchyma
• B. Collenchyma
• C. Sclerenchyma
• D. Sclereids

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Collenchyma

Tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks.
Parenchyma cells are thin walled, flexible and loosely packed cells. They are often alive at maturity. Their shape changes as per function. They are filler tissue in soft parts of plant. Therefore, option A is incorrect.
Sclerenchyma are a type of permanent tissue. They are dead, long, thin narrow cells with thickened walls without any internal space. Thickened walls make the cells as hard and stiff. Therefore, option C is incorrect.
Sclereids are a reduced form of sclerenchyma cells. They have highly thick and lignified walls, which make them hard and stiff. Therefore, option D is incorrect.
Collenchyma cells are living, elongated and irregularly thickened at corners with less intercellular space. It allows easy bending of plant parts without breaking. Therefore, option B is correct.