Q- What is the difference between parenchyma and collenchyma?
Answer- Parenchyma:
1. The word parenchyma is made from two Greek words ‘para’ that means ‘beside’ and ‘enchyma’ that means ‘in filling’.
2. Parenchymal cells are thin walled.
3. The cells in parenchyma tissues are living in nature.
4. The cell wall of parenchymal cells are formed of cellulose.
5. The parenchyma tissues are located or present in softer parts of plant such as: epidermis, cortex, endodermis, pith of root e.t.c. .
6. The Parenchyma tissues performs several function but they are primarily responsible for storing food in plant. It also provides support to the stem of herbaceous pants.
7. They act as packaging tissue between the specialized tissues.
Collenchyma:
1. The word collenchyma is made from two Greek words ‘Kolla’ that means ‘glue’ and ‘enchyma’ that means ‘in filling’.
2. collenchymal cells are thick walled.
3. The cells in collenchyma tissues are also living in nature.
4. The cell wall of collenchymal cells are formed of pectin.
5. The collenchyma tissues are located or present in dicot stem, midribs of leaves and strips of leaves as it forms the hypodermis layer in plant.
6. The collenchyma tissues performs several function but they are primarily responsible for mechanical support and elasticity.
7. That is why they allow plants to bend down through high velocity wing. These cells reduce the chances of uprooting plants as they make them flexible.