Question

Which tissue gives mechanical support yi the plant

Answer 1

Dear student,

The plant tissue which is able to provide mechanical support are Sclerenchyma and collenchyma
Collenchyma is one of the important mechanical cells of the growing organs and the mature organs of herbaceous plants. In stems it usually occurs just beneath the epidermis .Collenchyma is living cell and retains its protoplast even when mature. So, it can regulate the deposition and orientation of wall materials according to the need of developing organs. The wall of collenchyma cells is thickened by pectin, hemicellulose, protein and cellulose.

Sclerenchyma ,it may be non-­conducting sclerenchyma and conducting sclerenchyma. The former includes sclereids and fibres.Sclereids give strength, resistance and inflexible protection in the organs where they occur. Fibres add mechanical rigidity to the organ where they occur. The fibres may be extraxylary and xylary. The former fibres may occur uninterrupted just beneath the epidermis.

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