Question

What are meristematic and permanent tissue?

Answer 1

Hint: Meristematic tissues are tissues that have the ability to divide and differentiate continuously while the permanent tissue are those which have lost their ability to grow and divide.

Complete Answer:
Meristematic tissue: The word meristem was coined by Carl Nageli. Meristematic tissues are tissues which have active living cells and they form the foundation for specialized plant structures. They have the ability to divide and self renew. The meristematic tissues have small cells, are thin walled and contain very few vacuoles. They have a dense protoplasm, a large and prominent nucleus and show high metabolic activity. They are involved in healing the injuries in plants.

On the basis of origin Meristematic tissues can be:
i. Primary meristem
ii. Secondary meristem

On the basis of position:
i. Apical meristem
Ii. Lateral meristem
Iii. Intercalary meristem

On the basis of function:
i. Protoderm
Ii. Ground Meristem
Iii. Procambium

Permanent tissue: Permanent tissues are tissues which have grown and have lost the ability to divide anymore. They have acquired a specific role and are differentiated.
i. Simple tissue: Simple tissues are made up of single cell type and are homogenous. They are divided into Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma. All the cells have the same structure and function. Their main functions are storage, providing mechanical strength, flexibility and packaging.
ii. Complex tissue: Complex tissues are made up of different types of cells and perform different functions. They include Phloem which is involved in transport of food and Xylem which is involved in transport of water and nutrients.

Note: A meristematic tissue is one which has actively dividing cells while the cells of permanent tissue have completed their growth. Permanent tissues are bigger in size and have specialized functions.