Anatomy of Flowering Plants

6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants
Tissue
 It is a group of cells that are similar in structure and are organised together to perform a specific function.
 It is of two types: Meristematic tissues and Permanent tissues
 Meristematic tissue
 It consists of actively dividing cells that are found in those regions of the plant body that show growth.
 The examples include root tip, shoot tip, and base of the leaves.
 It is classified into three types:
i. Apical meristem: They are present in the growing tips of stems and roots.
Function – helps in increasing the length of the stem and root ii. Intercalary meristem: They lie at the base of leaves or internodes.
Function – helps in the longitudinal growth of plants iii. Lateral meristem: They lie on the lateral sides of the stem and root.
Function – helps in increasing the thickness of stem and root
 Apical meristem and intercalary meristem help in the formation of the primary plant body. Therefore, they are called primary meristems.
Lateral meristem is formed in the mature regions of roots and shoots of plants. Hence, they are known as secondary meristem.
 Permanent tissues
 They are formed from meristematic tissues through the process of cell differentiation.
 They are of two types: Simple tissues and complex tissues
 Simple tissues: These consist of only one type of cells that are more or less similar in structure and functions.

 Sclerenchyma is further divided into two types – fibres and sclereids.
 Complex tissues: They are made up of more than one type of cells. All these cells work in coordinated manner to perform one common function.

o Xylem:
 It conducts water and minerals from roots to different parts of the plant.
 Tracheids and vessels are long tube-like structures with thick walls and tapering ends. Presence of vessels is the characteristic feature of angiosperms.
Function: to transport water and minerals vertically
 Xylem fibre is made up of dead cells.