Getting to Know Tissues When cells unite, amazing structures emerge.

What Is a Tissue?

Tissue

A tissue is a group of similar cells working together to perform one specific job, making the work faster and more efficient—this is called division of labour.

Can you name a tissue found in your own body?

Plants vs Animals

Plant Tissues

Immobile; body anchored to one spot.
Growth limited to meristem regions.
Rigid tissues (xylem, sclerenchyma) give support.
Slow repair; cells stay locked in place.

Animal Tissues

Mobile; movement essential for survival.
Growth possible in most body parts.
Flexible, contractile tissues (muscle, connective).
Fast repair with constant cell turnover.

Key Similarity

Both organise cells into tissues to perform specific functions.

Watching Roots Grow

Onion root meristem demo

Meristem = Growth Zone

Jar 1 roots keep their tips; Jar 2 tips are removed.

Cells in the root tip meristem divide, pushing the root forwards.

Cutting the meristem stops division, so growth ends.

Key Points:

  • Predict: Jar 1 roots will be longer after 5 days.
  • Activity: mark starting length, measure daily to see growth.
  • Conclusion: meristematic tissue drives root elongation.

Where Are Meristems?

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Three Meristem Regions

Each region sits at a fixed location on the plant and has a distinct growth job.

Key Points:

  • Apical – tips of roots & shoots; lengthens plant.
  • Intercalary – nodes or leaf bases; restores lost parts quickly.
  • Lateral – along stem & root sides; adds thickness (girth).

Simple Permanent Tissues

Three sturdy helpers keep plants alive and upright.

1

Parenchyma

Living, thin-walled cells; fill gaps and store starch, water and air.

2

Collenchyma

Unevenly thick walls; give young stems and petioles flexible, bendable support.

3

Sclerenchyma

Dead cells with very thick lignified walls; form fibres and shells that harden plant parts.

Pro Tip:

Recall their order: storage (Parenchyma), stretch (Collenchyma), strength (Sclerenchyma).

Plant ‘Pipes’: Xylem & Phloem

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Complex vascular tissues move life’s essentials

Xylem pushes water upward from roots. Phloem delivers sugars to growing and storage parts. Together they ensure transport throughout the plant.

Key Points:

  • Xylem parts – tracheids, vessels, fibres, parenchyma
  • Phloem parts – sieve tubes, companion cells, fibres, parenchyma

Animal Tissue Families

Every organ you know is built from these four teams.

Epithelial Tissue

Sheets of tightly packed cells; cover and protect body surfaces and cavities.

Connective Tissue

Cells in a matrix bind, support, insulate or store materials throughout the body.

Muscular Tissue

Long contractile fibres shorten to move limbs, pump blood and power organs.

Nervous Tissue

Neurons and glia transmit quick electrical signals to coordinate body activities.

Match the Tissue!

Drag each tissue type onto its main role. This will help you link structure to function.

Draggable Items

Meristem
Parenchyma
Xylem
Neuron

Drop Zones

Growth

Storage

Transport

Signal

Tip:

Think about where the tissue sits and what it mainly does for the plant or body.

Key Takeaways

Definition: a tissue is a group of similar cells that work together.

Plant tissues: meristem makes new cells for growth; permanent tissues give support and transport water & food.

Animal tissues: epithelial covers, connective links, muscular moves, and nervous tissues send signals.

Thank You!

Feel confident—these core ideas will guide the next lessons.