Plant Tissues Key concepts Aut... - Structure and functions of different plant tissues different types of plant tissies and their functions. On the basis of the stages of development of their cells and the Types of plant tissues functions they perform, plant tissues are divided into two types. \& Meristematic tissue Permanent tissue Meristematic tissue Growth in plants happens in ever wondered how a tiny seedling grows into a two stages: 2. New cells are produced. huge tree? When the embryo in a seed begins to grow, we say 2. These cells expand via uptake of water by the the seed is germinating. The embryo has a group of cells at its vacuole. root and shoot tips. These cells are small, thin-walled and full The division of cells does nót of cyroplasm. They have a large nucleus. They divide rapidly take place throughout the plant but only in meristematic and continuously as a result of which the plant gains height. This group of actively dividing cells forms the meristematic Meristematic (Greek: meristes tissuc. This tissue is found in all the growing parts of a plant meaning divisible) tissue is a mass of young, immature where growth in length and thickness of a plant occurs. and undifferentiated cells that remain young and divide For example, root and shoot tips contain meristematic tissues throughout the life of a plant. (Fig, 1.1), The main function of meristematic tissue is to produce new cells at the root and shoot tips and build up plant body in length and thickness. Characteristics of meristematic tissue The main characteristics of meristematic tissue are as follows. * The cells are small in size, cell wall is thin, nuclei are prominent and vacuoles are mostly absent. * The cells actively divide to form new cells.