The cell is the structural and functional unit of all organisms and we all know that not all organisms have the same cell structure. Primitive cells such as bacteria have a simple cell structure while plants and animals show a higher level of cellular organization. So as cells make up all tissue systems in a plant or animal body it’s only normal that they would be different. In this topic, we will have a brief overview of both plant and animal tissues, their structure and functions, and how they differ from each other. We will also understand their similarities.

In multicellular animals, tissue is a level of organization that consists of a group of physically and functionally identical cells as well as their intercellular substances.

Unicellular creatures lack tissues by definition. Even in the smallest multicellular creatures, such as sponges, tissues are lacking or poorly differentiated. However, complex multicellular animals and plants contain specialized tissues that can organize and govern an organism's reaction to its surroundings.

Plant Tissue

Simply put, plant tissue is a cluster of similar cells performing an organized function for the plant. These tissues create organs such as stems, roots, flowers, and leaves. we can classify plant tissue into three categories:

Meristematic Tissue

It is different than other types of plant tissue. All plant cells originate from meristematic plant tissue. The apical meristem plays a role in plant growth above the soil whilst root meristem drives plant growth below the soil. Sub apical meristems drive the growth of the plant and carry leaves and intercalary meristems provide growth for the middle part of the plant body. It assists plant leaves to grow upwards towards sunlight. These cells grow asymmetrically and can be compared to animal stem cells.

Permanent Simple Plant Tissue

There are several types of simple plant tissue. The first is the epidermis. This type of tissue is thin and has densely packed cells. In some plants, the epidermis is covered by waxy protection so the plant can survive stressful conditions like extreme temperatures.

The epidermis has guard cells that operate the stroma. The stroma regulates the passage of water and air in leaves and allows plants to move water and nutrients up the plant body from the soil.

Another major tissue in the plant body is the parenchyma. It has thin-walled cells and large vacuoles. It is found in all parts of the plant body especially in leaves, stems, and roots. The parenchyma tissue in leaves is highly involved in the process of photosynthesis.

The sclerenchyma plant tissue is a type of structural tissue in the plant body which dies but retains its structure. It is found in the stem, bark, and hard shells of fruits and nuts and provides supports to plants.

Permanent Complex Plant Tissue

There are two types of complex plant tissue observed. These are the phloem tissue and the xylem tissue. The xylem tissue system is specially designed for transporting water and nutrients whilst the phloem tissue carries sugar down the roots and stems.

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Animal Tissue

True animals' various tissues are accountable for carrying out particular duties for the organism. This tissue differentiation and specialization is one of the reasons for the tremendous diversity of animals. Animals, for example, have a unique ability to feel and respond to changes in their environment due to the evolution of nerve and muscle tissues. This enables animals to thrive in circumstances where they must compete with other species for food resources. Like plants, an animal body is also made of different types of tissues. Generally, there are four types observed:

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Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial tissues are a single layer or numerous layers of cells that cover the exterior of organs and structures in the body and line the lumens of organs. The number of layers of cells and the morphologies of the cells found in epithelia are used to classify the different forms of epithelia. Simple epithelia is epithelial tissue made up of a single layer of cells; stratified epithelia is epithelial tissue made up of many layers. All internal and external organs of the animal body are lined with epithelial tissues. There are four types of tissues observed these are

Squamous epithelial
Stratified epithelial
Cuboidal epithelial
Columnar epithelial

Squamous epithelial cells are normally spherical and flat, with a tiny nucleus in the centre. Cells come together to form a covering or lining, and the cell outline is slightly uneven. Diffusion in tissues such as the lungs' gas exchange regions and the exchange of nutrients and waste at blood capillaries is facilitated when cells are organized in a single layer (simple epithelia).

Stratified epithelial cells are the rare kind of epithelial tissue that is composed of column-shaped cells. These cells are arranged in multiple layers. These are found in the anus, male urethra, pharynx and conjunctiva.

Cuboidal epithelial cells have a single nucleus and are cube-shaped. They are most typically found in glandular tissues throughout the body in a single layer constituting simple epithelia, where they prepare and secrete glandular material. They can also be present in the walls of tubules and the kidney and liver ducts.

Columnar epithelial cells are taller than they are wide, resembling a stack of columns in an epithelial layer and most usually observed in a single layer. In the digestive system, the nuclei of columnar epithelial cells appear to be lined up at the base of the cells. These cells take material from the digestive tract's lumen and prepare it for transport throughout the body via the circulatory and lymphatic systems. These tissues are involved in the protection, absorption, secretion, and other aspects of all internal and external organs.

Muscle Tissue

As the name suggests, muscles are made up of this type of tissue. The three types of muscles tissue observed are:

Skeletal muscle: these are striated and voluntary.
Smooth muscle: these are non-striated and involuntary.
Cardiac muscle: these are striated and involuntary.

The main functions of muscle tissue are the movement of the body by muscle contraction and relaxation.

Connective Tissue

They are a collection of different tissue which connect other tissue, organs, and different parts of the body. The different types of connective tissues are:

Areolar tissue
Adipose tissue
Blood
Lymph
Bone
Cartilage

Alongside connecting and supporting different organs, these tissues also transport substances between organs.

Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissues are made of specialized cells called neurons and neuroglia. They help nerve impulses travel and conduct electrochemical impulses travel between neurons.

The Plant Tissue and Animal Tissue Difference

The differences between plant and animal tissues are discussed below:

Plant Tissues	Animal Tissues
In plants, there’s an abundance of dead and supportive tissue compared to living tissue.	In animals, the living tissues are more than dead tissues.
Plant tissue requires less energy for maintenance.	Animal tissues require more energy for maintenance.
In-plant tissue, differentiation between permanent and meristematic tissue is observed.	Differentiation is not observed in animal tissues.
Permanent tissues and meristematic tissues are the two types of tissues found in plants.	Animal tissues, on the other hand, are divided into four categories: muscular tissue, epithelial tissue, connective tissue, and nerve tissue.
Meristematic tissues in plants assist them in growth throughout their lives.	Animals do not show growth throughout their lives. However, reparative growth is present.
Tissue organization is simple in plants.	Tissue organization in animals is complex.
Tissues organization is meant for the stationary habit of plants.	Tissue organization is targeted towards the mobility of animals.

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FAQs on Difference Between Plant Tissue and Animal Tissue

1. What are the similarities between plant and animal tissues?

There are many similarities between plant and animal tissues as well. Physiologically they may look different but they have similar functions. Below are some of the similarities between plant and animal tissues:

Bone tissue provides support for many animals. In plants, some specialized stem tissues have the same function.

Arteries, veins that are made of connective tissues transport nutrients, gases, and waste in the animal body. In vascular plants, xylem and phloem do the same.

Respiratory tissue in animals exchanges gases, tissues on leaves do the same thing. They exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen.

2. What is collenchyma?

Collenchyma plant tissue is similar to sclerenchyma. It provides support to the plant body. Collenchyma plant tissue can be seen in young plants, and in these plants, they have a limited number of cells. Due to this only a part of the cell wall in these cells will be thickened for support. Collenchyma is generally found wherever there is new growth and the other structural cells have not set in yet.

3. What animal tissue is the toughest?

In mammals, the enamel is the body's toughest tissue, covering part or all of the crowns of the tooth. When enamel matures, it is mostly made up of calcium and phosphate apatite crystals. Enamel isn't alive and doesn't have any nerves.

4. Why is xylem referred to as "dead tissue"?

Except for xylem parenchyma, xylem is known as dead tissue or non-living tissue since all of the components found in this tissue are dead. Cell organelles, which are involved in storing and moving more water with the plant cells, are absent from the xylem tissues.