Meristematic tissues

Meristematic tissues are a group of young cells that are in a continuous state of division.
These tissues are mostly found at the apices of root and shoot.
The main characteristics of cells of meristematic tissues are:
(i) They are living and thin walled
(ii) Vacuoles are few and small in size
(iii) The cells contain a dense protoplasm and conspicuous nuclei
(iv) The cells are spherical, oval or polygonal in shape
(v) They do not store reserve food material and are in an active state of metabolism.

Permanent Tissues
These tissues are derived from meristematic tissues. They have lost the power of dividing, having attained their definite form and size. In
their earlier stages the cells are more or less similar in structure but slowly they become specialized and form permanent tissues. They
can be classified into simple and complex.

Function of Collenchyma Cells

Collenchyma cells provide structural support, protecting the plant by serving as an inner framework, much like bones do for humans and
other animals. Plants are exposed to numerous structural challenges and without these cells, most plants would be too fragile to
withstand the damage caused by heavy rains, high winds, and other stresses.
The thickened walls of the collenchyma cells enable them to provide additional support to the areas where they are found. Most
notably, collenchyma cells serve growing parts of the plant, such as shoots and leaves, both by providing support and by filling in vacant
spaces that will be used for later growth.

Function of Parenchyma in Plants

Parenchyma cells can serve many functions. Their role is largely based on their location in the plant; that can determine
whether they will serve in storage, photosynthesis, or damage repair.
Parenchyma cells have large central vacuoles, which are large, membrane-enclosed organelles found in many plant
cells. These vacuoles are able to be used by plant cells to store materials and to maintain optimal pressure within the
cell of the plant.

Function of Sclerenchyma Cells

Plants require cells that are bound together and have a strong outer layer known as a cell wall. Sclerenchyma cells are strong, thick cells
that provide most of the support in a plant. They are known to have extremely thick cell walls and do not participate in many of the other
activities of the developing plant, such as photosynthesis, because their focus is strictly on support and structure.
As a matter of fact, when sclerenchyma cells are fully mature, they die. Once they're dead, they simply maintain the structure of the plant
and do not require further maintenance, freeing the plant to concentrate on other areas while having the support and strength it needs.

Function of Xylem
Xylems are vascular cells that transport water from the root of the plant through its stem and up to the outer tips of its leaves. Xylems
travel through the vascular bundles of the cell stem and the smaller bundled veins of its leaves. Xylems provide a counter-force to gravity
by increasing the surface tension between water molecules and internal plant tissue.

Function of Phloem
Phloem transport nutrients and minerals between the stem, leaves and root of the plant. They transport sap and other sugars from the
site of photosynthesis to the parts of the plant that use those sugars for energy.