Simple tissues and complex tissues in plants differ primarily in their cellular composition and function:
- Simple tissues are composed of only one type of cell, meaning all cells are similar in structure and perform the same function. Examples include:
- Parenchyma : involved in storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair.
- Collenchyma : provides flexible mechanical support to growing parts.
- Sclerenchyma : offers rigid support due to thick, lignified cell walls
- Complex tissues consist of more than one type of cell working together to perform multiple functions. They are heterogeneous in cell types and specialized for transport. Examples include:
- Xylem : transports water and minerals from roots to other parts of the plant.
- Phloem : transports nutrients and sugars produced by photosynthesis throughout the plant
In summary:
Feature| Simple Tissue| Complex Tissue
---|---|---
Cell Types| One type of cell (homogeneous)| Multiple types of cells
(heterogeneous)
Function| Uniform function (e.g., support, storage)| Multiple functions
(mainly transport)
Examples| Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma| Xylem, Phloem
This distinction reflects how simple tissues mainly provide support and storage, while complex tissues are specialized for conduction and transport within the plant
