Plant tissues and their brief characteristics

Fabrics of plants are quite diverse. It is interesting that the morphological features of each such structure directly depend on the function it performs. It is customary to distinguish several of their types:

• Educational;
• Coverslips;
• Mechanical;
• Conductive;
• Basic.

Each structure has certain features, which will be considered below.

Educational tissue of plants

Educational fabrics are also called meristems. Such a structure consists of their small, multi-faceted cells with thin walls. They are tightly closed together. Under a microscope, you can see that they have a large nucleus and many small vacuoles. A feature of this tissue is the ability of its cells to constantly divide. This is what ensures the constant growth of the plant. It is customary to distinguish such types:

• Primary meristem - in an adult plant this tissue is retained in the tips of the shoots and the tips of the roots. It is thanks to her that the primary growth of the plant takes place in length.
• Secondary meristem - represented by cambium and phellogen. These tissues provide a secondary growth of the stem and root in diameter. At the location of the apical, lateral and intercalary secondary meristems are distinguished.

Cover tissues of plants

The coverslip is placed on the surface of the body of the plant. Its main function is protection. Such structures are responsible for the resistance of the plant to mechanical action, protect against sudden temperature fluctuations and excessive evaporation of moisture, protect against ingress of pathogenic microorganisms. Cover elements are usually divided into three main groups:

• The epidermis (skin) is the primary tissue, which consists of small, transparent and tightly closed cells. Typically, this type of fabric covers the surface of leaves and young shoots. The epidermal layer of leaves includes stomata, the formations that are responsible for the processes of gas exchange and transpiration.
• Periderma is a secondary integumentary tissue that is located on the surface of the stem and root. Consists of feloggen and cork. The plug is a dead layer of cells, the walls of which are impregnated with a waterproof substance with a suberin.
• Cork is a tissue that is characteristic of trees and some shrubs. This layer of coverslips is the outer part of the plug.

Conductive plant tissues

The main function of this group of tissues is the transport of water and minerals over the body of the plant. It is customary to distinguish the following types of conductive elements:

• Xylem - ensures the movement of water with dissolved mineral substances from the root system to the ground part of the plant. It consists of special vessels, the so-called trachea and tracheids.
• Floema is a fabric that provides a downward current. Through sieve tubes, all organic nutrients that are synthesized by leaves are carried to the rest of the plant organs, including the root system.

Basic plant tissues : parenchyma

This tissue consists of small living cells with thin walls. It is this that forms the basis of all organs. It includes:

• Assimilation tissues - their cells contain a huge amount of chloroplasts and are responsible for the processes of photosynthesis and the formation of organic substances. Most of these tissues are contained in the leaves.
• Storing tissues - useful substances are deposited in cells. This tissue is concentrated in fruits, roots and seeds.
• Aquifers - serve for the accumulation and conservation of water. These tissues are characteristic for plants living in hot and dry climates, for example, for cacti.
• Airborne tissues - such tissues have huge intercellular cavities that are filled with air. Aeration is typical for marsh and aquatic plants.

Mechanical tissues of plants

Responsible for creating a solid framework. They support the shape of the plant, making it more resistant to mechanical influence. This tissue consists of cells with thick membranes. The most strongly mechanical tissues are developed in the stem of the plant.