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Which of the following is INCORRECT about parenchyma?
It allows the bending of various parts of a plant like tendrils and stems of climbers without breaking.
The cells of parenchyma are living cells and are usually loosely arranged.
It consists of relatively unspecialised cells with thin cell walls.
In aquatic plants, large air cavities are present in parenchyma to help them float.
It allows the bending of various parts of a plant like tendrils and stems of climbers without breaking.
The INCORRECT statement is that parenchyma allows for the bending of plant parts like tendrils without breaking. This characteristic is specifically provided by the collenchyma tissue, which offers mechanical support and flexibility, whereas parenchyma is primarily responsible for storage, photosynthesis, and secretion.
The INCORRECT statement is that parenchyma allows for the bending of plant parts like tendrils without breaking. This characteristic is specifically provided by the collenchyma tissue, which offers mechanical support and flexibility, whereas parenchyma is primarily responsible for storage, photosynthesis, and secretion.
Think of parenchyma like the basic 'filler' foam or sponge in a packaging box that holds items in place, while collenchyma acts like the flexible 'spring' or rubberized frame that allows the box to bend without snapping.
Parenchyma consists of thin-walled, living cells that are loosely packed with intercellular spaces. Their primary functions include food storage, packing tissue, and supporting metabolic activities like photosynthesis (chlorenchyma). Flexibility and mechanical strength for bending are provided by collenchyma due to the localized deposition of pectin at corners, not by the simple parenchymatous tissue.
Parenchyma is a simple, living permanent tissue with thin cell walls.
Aerenchyma is a type of parenchyma in aquatic plants containing large air cavities for buoyancy.
Collenchyma provides mechanical support and flexibility to plant parts.
Sclerenchyma provides rigidity and strength due to lignin deposition.
Parenchyma serves as the primary storage tissue for food/water.
It acts as a packing material to fill space between other tissues.
Storage of starch in potato tubers.
Photosynthesis in leaves (mesophyll).
| Feature | Parenchyma | Collenchyma |
|---|---|---|
Function | Storage/Support | Mechanical Flexibility |
Parenchyma is often termed the 'packing tissue' of plants.
The statement regarding bending refers to the properties of collenchyma, making it the incorrect descriptor for parenchyma.
A is correct тАФ Parenchyma is a storage and packing tissue, whereas the bending property in plants is provided by collenchyma.
Remember: Parenchyma = Packing/Storage, Collenchyma = Corner thickening/Flexibility, Sclerenchyma = Sclerotic/Rigidity.