Question

What are the cell walls of parenchyma composed of?

Answer 1

Parenchyma cell:

1. Parenchyma is a type of simple permanent tissue that makes a major part of ground tissues in plants, where other tissues like vascular tissues are embedded.
2. They are non-vascular and composed of simple, living and undifferentiated cells, which are modified to perform various functions

Structure:

1. It has a prominent nucleus, protoplast and cells are closely packed.
2. They are made up of thin cell wall made up of cellulose, hemicellulose.
3. The cells of parenchyma are isodiametric or polyhedral in shape. They may be polygonal, oval, round or elongated.

Functions:

1. Chlorenchyma: Cells which have chloroplast and perform photosynthesis.
2. Xylem Parenchyma: It stores food materials like starch, fats and other substances such as tannins and crystals.
3. Prosenchyma: These are fibre-like elongated cells, which are thick-walled and provide rigidity and strength to the plant.
4. Aerenchyma: They contain very large intercellular spaces. These are present in aquatic plants.