Welcome to Tissues Where tiny cells unite to build the tapestry of life.

What is a Tissue?

Tissue

A group of similar cells that work together to perform one specific function efficiently.

Division of labour: different tissues share jobs so the organism functions faster and saves energy. Think—why can’t one cell do every task?

Plants vs Animals

Plant Tissues

Chiefly supportive and protective in function.
Many cells are dead with thick walls for strength.
Growth restricted to meristems at tips and cambium.
Lower energy demand; no specialised movement tissues.

Animal Tissues

Predominantly living, highly active cells.
Body grows uniformly; no fixed growth zones.
Muscle and connective tissues enable movement.
High energy and nutrient requirement.

Meristematic Tissue

Meristematic tissue diagram

Types of Meristem & Their Growth

Meristem is a living plant tissue where cells divide continuously, driving growth.

Its position in the plant decides what kind of growth follows.

Spot the apical meristem in the diagram—does it make the plant longer or wider?

Key Points:

  • Apical – at shoot & root tips; adds length (primary growth).
  • Intercalary – at nodes & leaf bases; quickly lengthens internodes, repairs grazed parts.
  • Lateral – along sides of stems & roots; adds girth (secondary growth).

Simple Permanent Tissues

https://asset.sparkl.ac/pb/sparkl-vector-images/img_ncert/yvaH1O9qzjEGX35f3ueUrU1mDLRgzVsPoJfeqecK.png

Parenchyma, Collenchyma & Sclerenchyma

Simple permanent tissues comprise similar plant cells that stay mature and perform a shared task.

They are classified into parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma based on cell wall and function.

Key Points:

  • Parenchyma: living, thin-walled; stores food or performs photosynthesis.
  • Collenchyma: living, unevenly thick walls; offers flexible support to stems, leaves.
  • Sclerenchyma: dead, heavily lignified; provides hard, rigid support.
  • Quiz ➜ Which tissue imparts toughness to coconut husk?

Epidermis & Stomata

https://asset.sparkl.ac/pb/sparkl-vector-images/img_ncert/CcHv4q9DkHOIPwnqeuLOAD9xmwj8AHvWrgHf73jV.png

Protective tissue & gas exchange

A single epidermal layer forms the plant’s protective skin, often coated with a waxy cuticle that limits water loss and blocks microbes.

Stomata are adjustable pores. Guard cells swell to open for CO₂ intake, and shrink to close, conserving water.

Key Points:

  • Epidermis is the first defensive barrier on all plant organs.
  • Desert plants thicken the cutin layer to curb evaporation.
  • Guard cells fine-tune gas exchange while saving water.

Complex Tissues

https://asset.sparkl.ac/pb/sparkl-vector-images/img_ncert/nDvStPlEytuQJoyi87yahRyUiEbQSVRL796CJwYg.png

Xylem & Phloem in Vascular Bundles

Complex permanent tissues form the plant's vascular bundle.

Two main parts: xylem lifts water & minerals upward; phloem distributes food in all directions.

Key Points:

  • Xylem: vessels & tracheids form hollow pipes; move water and minerals from roots to leaves.
  • Phloem: sieve tubes with companion cells push sugars and amino acids to growing or storage sites.
  • Both tissues unite as a vascular bundle linking stem, leaf and root.

Sort the Tissues

Drag each tissue label into its correct box to prove you can classify simple and complex permanent tissues.

Draggable Items

Parenchyma
Collenchyma
Sclerenchyma
Xylem
Phloem

Drop Zones

Simple Permanent

Complex Permanent

Tip:

Simple tissues contain one cell type; complex tissues combine several cell types to work as a unit.

Key Takeaways

Tissue = Teamwork

A tissue is a group of similar cells working together for one job.

Plant Tissues

Meristematic tissues divide; they mature into permanent tissues, both simple and complex.

Animal Tissues

Four main types—epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous—build the body’s organs and systems.

Transport in Plants

Xylem moves water; phloem moves food, forming the plant’s transport network.

Form Fits Function

Each tissue’s structure is specialised to perform its function efficiently.