Plant tissue
Plant tissue is a group of plant cells organized to perform a shared function. Tissues form the structural and functional units of plant organs.
Plant cell: The basic structural and functional unit of plants, with a cell wall, membrane-bound organelles, and specialized features. Plant tissues are assemblies of plant cells with shared roles.
Xylem: Vascular tissue that conducts water and dissolved minerals, mainly from roots toward the rest of a plant. Its conducting cells form the plant’s principal water-transport tissue.
Plant histology: The study of plant tissues using microscopy and other methods of structural analysis. Histology examines tissue arrangement and cell specialization directly.
Parenchyma: Living, relatively unspecialized plant tissue involved in functions such as photosynthesis, storage, and repair. It demonstrates how a common tissue type can serve several functions.
Meristem: Plant tissue containing actively dividing cells that produce new cells for growth. Meristems generate the cells that differentiate into other tissues.
Phloem: Vascular tissue that transports sugars and other organic substances between plant sources and sinks. Its sieve elements distribute products made by photosynthetic tissues.
Plant propagation: The production of new plants through sexual or asexual reproduction. Tissue organization determines which cuttings and explants can regenerate plants.
Collenchyma: Living support tissue with unevenly thickened cell walls, often found in growing plant parts. Its flexible reinforcement supports organs that are still elongating.
Plant organ: A plant structure, such as a root, stem, or leaf, composed of multiple tissue types working together. Tissues combine into organs with larger functions.
Epidermis (botany): The outermost cell layer covering young plant organs. This dermal tissue protects exposed plant surfaces and regulates exchange.