Tissues and Organs

Tissue: a group of cells specialised for a particular function

o The cells may be of the same type, such as
! Parenchyma and palisade mesophyll in plants
! Squamous epithelium in animals
o The cells may be of mixed type, such as
! Xylem and phloem in plants
! Cartilage, bone, blood and connective tissue in animals
Organ: a group of tissues specialised for a particular function
o Examples of plant organs
! Leaves
! Stems
! Roots
o Examples of animal organs
! Heart
! Liver
! Kidney
System: a group of organs specialised for a particular function
o Vascular system (xylem and phloem) in plants
o Excretory system, reproductive system, cardiovascular system and
digestive system in animals
Xylem and Phloem
Contain more than one type of cell
Together, they make up the vascular tissue
o Vascular means having tubes for transporting fluids
Xylem contain tubes called vessels made from dead cells
o Walls of the cells are reinforced with a strong, waterproof material called
lignin
o Allows long-distance transport of water and mineral salts
o Provides mechanical support and strength
In roots, xylem is at the centre and has a series of arms between which the
phloem is found
In stems, the xylem and phloem form bundles called vascular bundles
o The outsides of these bundles have caps made of sclerenchyma
! Provide extra support for the stem
Low-power plan diagrams




























Epidermis
One cell thick
In stems and leaves, it is covered with a waxy cuticle
o Waterproof
o Protects the organ from drying out and from infection
In leaves, the epidermis has pores called stomata (singular: stoma)
o Allow exchange of gases
In roots, the epidermis may have extensions called root hairs
o Increase the surface area for absorption of water and mineral salts

Parenchyma
Thin-walled cells used as packing tissue
Very active
May be used for many functions, such as storage of food (e.g. starch)
When turgid, they help to support the plant, preventing wilting
Air spaces between the parenchyma cells allow gas exchange
Water and mineral salts are transported through
o The walls
o Living contents of the cells
Forms the cortex in roots and stems, the pith in stems
o Cortex: Outer region of cells
o Pith: Central region of stems
Contains chloroplasts in leaves
o Modified to form the palisade mesophyll and spongy mesophyll

Endodermis
One cell thick
Surrounds the vascular tissue in stems and roots

Pericycle
A layer of cells
o Just inside the endodermis
o Next to the vascular tissue
In roots, it is one cell thick
o New roots can grow from this layer
In stems, it is formed from a tissue called sclerenchyma
o Has dead, lignified cells
! For extra strength