Question

What is the function of sclerenchymatous tissue?
A) Flexibility
B) Tenderness
C) Strength
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Sclerenchymatous tissue is present in the plants. Sclerenchyma is the Greek word which means Sclerous = hard; enchyma = am infusion. It is composed of thick-walled dead mature cells and they are different in shape, size and origin. They are having thick secondary walls because of the equal deposition of lignin.

Complete Answer:
- The plants have highly complex bodies which are formed by various kinds of cells.
- These cells group together in order to perform various types of function in the plant body.
These groups are called plant tissue.

- The plant tissue are mainly divided into three categories :
1) Meristematic tissues.
2) Permanent tissues: Simple permanent tissue (Parenchyma, collenchymas, and Sclerenchyma) and Complex permanent tissue.
3) Secretory tissue.

- Initially, Sclerenchyma tissue is composed of living cells and having the protoplasm, after the deposition of lignin in the secondary walls they become dead.

Correct answer: Sclerenchyma tissue provides the mechanical strength.

Additional information:
Sclerenchyma tissue broadly divided into two groups:
- Fibers: It consists of long elongated cells with pointed ends called fibers.
- Sclereids: Sclerenchyma cells are short and having very thick lamellated walls with long tubular simpler pits, are called sclereids.

Note:
- Parenchyma perform these functions : Storage of reserve food material and water,
- Collenchyma is the chief supporting tissue in young dicotyledonous stems and has the capacity to expand.
- Sclerenchyma provides support and hardness to the soft parts of the plant.