Question

Aerenchyma assists the plants in
A. Attachment
B. Mechanical strength
C. Floating on water
D. Exchange of gases

Answer 1

Hint: Aerenchyma is a simple tissue and is made up of a single kind of cell. It is a part of parenchyma. This tissue has little intercellular spaces between them. The cells of this tissue are isodiametric. These cells are living cells with a thin wall of cellulose. They have dense cytoplasm and have one large or more than one small vacuole.

Complete answer: In aquatic plants , large air cavities are present between the parenchyma cells. Such a parenchyma is called aerenchyma.
Now let us know the functions given in options are performed by which tissues:-
> Attachment :- it is due to the root hairs present on the roots and not by any kind of tissue. Thus this option is not correct.
> Mechanical strength :- Collenchyma provide mechanical support to the growing stem and flowers and sclerenchyma provide mechanical strength to organs. Thus this option is not correct
> Floating on water :- due to presence of large air cavities aerenchyma helps the plant to float on water. Thus this option is correct
> Exchange of gases :- this is done with the help of stomata and not due to any kind of tissue . Thus this option is not correct.

Our required answer is c that is floating on water.

Note: Aerenchyma tissue present in plants is a type of parenchyma tissue. It helps to provide buoyancy to the plants and helps aquatic plants in floating. Parenchyma forms ground tissue or packing tissue in plants. It provides rigidity to the plants. In storage organs, parenchyma cells stored food.