Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Lesson 2.3
Structures and Functions of Plant Cells
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 4

Plant Tissues 4
Meristematic Tissues 5
Apical Meristems 6
Lateral Meristems 6
Vascular Cambium 7
Cork Cambium 7
Simple Permanent Tissues 8
Epidermal Tissues 8
Ground Tissues 10
Complex Permanent Tissues 11
Xylem 12
Phloem 12

Key Points 15

Check Your Understanding 16

Challenge Yourself 17

Bibliography 18
Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Lesson 2.3

Structures and Functions of Plant

Cells

Introduction
Up to this day, you have probably encountered a variety of plants. You may have seen lots of
them on the streets where you walk as you go to your school, or even in your garden where you
stay if you want to be at peace with nature. With the variety of plants you have encountered, you
have probably diff erentiated one from another by looking at their colors, shape, or height.

We often describe plants as organisms with leaves, stem, roots, flowers, and fruits. We also
associate them with beauty and serenity. Plants, as part of nature, provide us essential things
like oxygen. They are also used as an alternative medicine to cure diseases like

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
common colds and cough. These are some of the reasons why we consider them as nature’s gift
to us. It is quite unimaginable if plants do not exist on Earth, right? However, have you ever
wondered what is inside them? You have learned about cells and known that plants are also
composed of cells like animals; but, what do they look like? What kind of cells is each part of a
plant composed of? How do plant cells diff er in function?

Learning Objectives DepEd Competency

In this lesson, you should be able to do the Classify diff erent cell types
following: (plant/animal tissues) and specify
● Diff erentiate meristematic from the function(s) of each
permanent tissue. (STEM_BIO11/12-iA-C-4).
● Determine the functions of each
plant tissue.
● Locate the diff erent types of
tissues in plant parts.

Warm Up
Journey Through Plant Tissues 15 minutes
Plant tissues diff er in structure and function. These are found in all parts of a plant’s body. Some
of these tissues are microscopic, but some can be determined by our naked eye. In this activity,
you are going to observe diff erent plant tissues. After observation, you will be asked to describe
the diff erent plant tissues you encountered.

Materials
● 1 compound microscope
● 1 magnifying glass
● 2 chopping boards out of tree trunks with diff erent sizes

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

● 3 glass slides
● 1 leaf of oregano and 1 leaf of any kind
● 1 small bottle of clear nail polish
● 1 small roll of adhesive tape

Procedure
1. Divide the class into three groups.
2. Each group will be assigned to a learning station where students need to work on a
certain task.
3. Group one is first assigned to station 1, group two is assigned to station 2, and group three
is assigned to station 3.
4. Each group will only be given 5 minutes to do the tasks in each learning station.
5. In station 1, compare and contrast the two chopping boards, and take note of your
observation and description.
6. In station 2, observe an oregano leaf. Use a magnifying glass to observe and describe the
oregano leaf. Note the distinct characteristics of the oregano leaf.
7. In station 3, make a stomatal imprint. To make this, you need to cover the lower part of the
leaf with a clear nail polish. Place the adhesive tape on the lower part of the leaf that is
covered with clear nail polish. After at least 2 minutes, carefully remove the adhesive tape
from the leaf. Then, place the tape on the microscope glass slide. Observe this under the
microscope and take note of the characteristics of the noted cells.
8. After doing the task in your assigned learning station, your group will move to another
station to do another task. Group 1 will move to station 2, group 2 will move to station 3,
while group 3 will move to station 1.
9. The rotation of groups in the learning station will continue until the group has completed
the tasks in all learning stations.
10. Place all your observations in Table 2.3.1.
11. When your group is done in all learning stations, answer the questions that follow.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Observation Table
Table 2.3.1. Observation and description of the specimens observed

Learning Station Observed Specimen/s Observation

Guide Questions
1. What is the distinct characteristic of an oregano leaf?
2. To what part of the human body can the oregano leaf be compared?
3. What are the commonalities and diff erences between the chopping boards?
4. Stomata are opening under plants’ leaves. What do you think is their function?
5. How do these structures help plants grow, develop, and survive?

Learn about It!

Plant Tissues
“All organisms are made of cells,” is one of the statements in cell theory which was formulated by
Rudolph Virchow. Cells, in a particular part of a body, have specific functions. When a group of
cells is performing the same function, they are considered as tissues. There are diff erent types
of cells found in an organism’s body. In plants, tissues can be classified as meristematic and
permanent tissues. These tissues are generally responsible for growth, support, and transport.

Meristematic tissues are found in the growing areas of plants like roots and stems and are
made of actively dividing cells. These tissues are classified according to location and type of
growth they are responsible for. The major meristematic tissues in plants are apical meristem
and lateral meristem. On the other hand, permanent tissues are composed of nondividing cells
which can be found in stems, roots, flowers, and leaves. Permanent tissues are classified as
simple and complex tissues. Ground tissues (parenchyma, collenchyma,

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

and sclerenchyma) and epidermis are simple permanent tissues, while xylem and phloem
are complex permanent tissues.

How do types of meristematic tissues differ from

each other?

Meristematic Tissues
Meristematic tissues are composed of cells that give rise to another set of cells. The cells
produced from meristematic tissues can either stay as meristematic cells to continually produce
more cells or transform into specialized cells which will become parts of some tissues and organs
of a growing plant. Meristematic tissues are mainly responsible for the growth of a plant. They
also give rise to essential parts of a growing plant. Apical and lateral meristems are the major
meristematic tissues found in plants. These meristems diff er in location (as shown in Fig. 2.3.1)
and function.

Fig. 2.3.1 The blue parts represent the location of the apical meristem, while the red ones
represent the location of lateral meristems.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
Apical Meristems
The height of plants is attributed to the work of apical meristems. These meristems are located
on the shoots and roots of the plant. As apical meristems divide to produce new cells, they are
also elongating the root and shoot systems by producing the primary plants’ body which
includes the dermal, vascular, and ground tissues. Elongation of the root and shoot systems is
referred to as primary growth in plants. Apical meristems, located at the root tips (as shown in
Fig. 2.3.2) and terminal buds in a plant’s shoots, are continuously dividing to produce primary
meristems. Primary meristems are derivatives of apical meristems consisting of protoderm,
procambium, and ground meristem which will, later on, give rise to the plants’ three tissue
systems-- epidermis, stele (xylem and phloem), and ground tissues, respectively.

Fig. 2.3.2 Apical meristems located at the root tips (right) are responsible for the primary growth
of plants. The microscopic view of cells (left) shows the apical meristems of Allium cepa.

Lateral Meristems
A plant does not only increase in height but also increases in diameter. In most plants, growth in
diameter and girth is an essential factor for survival because it increases the plants’ rigidity and
sturdiness. A growth in diameter and girth is called secondary growth which results from the
continuous division of lateral meristems. Vascular cambium

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

(shown in Fig. 2.3.3) and cork cambium are the lateral meristems found along the length of the
plant which causes the increase in diameter and girth of plants.

Vascular Cambium
Vascular cambium gives rise to secondary xylem and phloem. Inward growth of vascular
cambium produces xylem, while an outward growth produces phloem. As vascular cambium
grows, layers of secondary xylem are added which becomes wood. When wood develops, plants
become sturdy and rigid. Vascular cambium appears as a ring composed of two kinds of cells:
ray initials and fusiform initials. Ray initials are composed of xylem and phloem rays that aid in
radial transport of water and nutrients in woody stems. On the other hand, fusiform initials
are responsible for producing secondary xylem and phloem.

Fig. 2.3.3 Vascular cambium in woody dicot stem produces secondary xylem and phloem, while
cork cambium produces cork cells.

Cork Cambium
Cork cambium (shown in Fig. 2.3.3), on the other hand, produces cork that replaces the
epidermis of plants as they mature. Cork acts as a protection of plants from damage and
disease-causing organisms. Moreover, cork releases suberin as a waxy protective coat to

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
prevent water loss from the stems. The layers of cork cambium and cork are collectively known
as periderm. Many of us know that the outer protective layer of woody plants is bark. It is still
correct to refer to the outer protective layer of plants like bark; however, unlike periderm, bark
consists of phloem, cork cambium, and cork.

Is it possible to grow plants by initiating the growth

of their meristems instead of seeds? How will it be
done?

Simple Permanent Tissues

When meristematic tissues diff erentiate into specialized cells, these cells become
permanent tissues that do not have the capability to divide and give rise to a new set of cells.
Permanent tissues, as its name suggests, are composed of fully matured cells that do not divide.
Generally, these tissues provide support, aid transport of water and minerals, and act as storage
of plant food. Permanent tissues in plants are either simple or complex. Simple permanent
tissues are composed of one kind of cell, while complex permanent tissues are composed of
two or more kinds of cells. Ground and epidermal tissues are considered as simple permanent
tissues. On the other hand, xylem and phloem are considered as complex permanent tissues.

Epidermal Tissues
Epidermis, an outer protective layer in humans and in animals, is also found in plants. This outer
protective layer originates from protoderm which is produced by apical meristems in roots and
shoots. Epidermis covers the whole body of nonwoody and young woody plants and is
protected by a waxy cuticle. The cuticle prevents loss of water and invasion of disease-causing
microorganisms. The epidermis in roots has tiny projections called root hairs (shown in Fig.
2.3.4) which help in increasing the absorption capacity of roots. In leaves and in stems, the
epidermis has tiny outgrowths called trichomes. These hair-like outgrowths prevent water loss
and reflect excess light. When young woody plants mature, the epidermis is replaced by
periderm which is produced by cork cambium.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Fig. 2.3.4 Microscopic view of root hairs in a lily plant

The lower and upper parts of leaves are protected by the epidermis (as shown in Fig. 2.3.5). The
lower epidermis of a leaf has guard cells. Guard cells are specialized structures that regulate the
opening and closing of stomata. Stomata are slit-like structures on the lower epidermis of leaves
which aids in the exchange of gases between plants and the environment.

Fig. 2.3.5 Guard cells are specialized structures on the lower epidermis of leaves.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Why are ground tissues also called fundamental

tissues?

Ground Tissues
Cells that are neither dermal nor vascular are called ground tissues. They are considered as
fillers of plants and form the bulk of plants. Ground tissues are usually found between dermal
and vascular tissues. The ground tissues found on the exterior of vascular tissues are referred to
as cortex. Meanwhile, pith is found at the center of the stem. These simple permanent tissues
are generally responsible for photosynthesis, support, and storage. Parenchyma, collenchyma,
and sclerenchyma are the kinds of ground tissues found in plants that diff er in function and in
location.

Parenchyma cells (shown in Fig. 2.3.6) are found in all parts of plants. Their structure is the least
specialized among other ground tissues. Parenchyma cells have thin and flexible primary walls
but lack secondary walls. These cells are mostly responsible for the synthesis and storage of plant
food. Parenchyma cells in leaves contain chloroplasts and perform photosynthesis. In stems and
in roots, parenchyma cells contain plastids that act as storage of starch, which is a complex sugar
found in most plants. Although considered as permanent tissues, parenchyma cells can also
divide and diff erentiate into specialized cells but under certain conditions, such as wound
repairing.

Fig. 2.3.6 Ground tissues parenchyma (left), collenchyma (center), and sclerenchyma (right) are
generally responsible for storage, support, and photosynthesis. In these microscopic pictures, it
is noticeable that they diff er in structure in terms of primary and secondary walls.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Collenchyma is a type of ground tissue found in the young stems and petioles in plants. Unlike
parenchyma, the primary walls of collenchyma are relatively thick although its thickness is
uneven. Collenchyma lacks secondary walls and their primary walls do not contain lignin, which
is a polymer providing rigidity. This thus provides a furnishing flexible support to immature parts of
plants.

Collenchyma cells

Sclerenchyma is a ground tissue with thick secondary walls. Their secondary walls are
strengthened by lignin, thus, making it more rigid compared to collenchyma. Sclerenchyma
provides support and rigidity to plants. It has two kinds, namely sclereids and fibers. Sclereids
strengthen seed coats and are responsible for gritty-textured flesh of some fruits. On the other
hand, fibers are used commercially as components of making rope and flax fibers.

Complex Permanent Tissues

Plants need a constant supply of food, water, and minerals for their survival. The distribution of
food, water, and minerals are acted upon by xylem and phloem. Xylem is considered as water-
conducting tissue since its main responsibility is to distribute water and minerals absorbed by the
roots. On the other hand, phloem is considered as food-conducting vascular tissue since it
distributes sucrose and other inorganic compounds throughout the plant’s body.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
Xylem
Xylem (shown in Fig. 2.3.7) is composed of two types of conducting cells —tracheids and
vessel elements. Tracheids are thin and elongated cells where water passes through.
Tracheids, as well as vessel elements, have thin primary walls but thick secondary walls. Their
secondary walls have pits that allow the transport of water from one cell to another. The thick
secondary walls of tracheids serve as a rigid and strong wall against the tension of water transport.
Moreover, vessel elements are thin-walled cells of xylem. Unlike tracheids, vessel elements have
perforated plates that allow the transport of water through the vessels.

Fig. 2.3.7 Microscopic view of xylem in vascular plants

Phloem
Sugar and other organic nutrients are distributed throughout the plant’s body by phloem. Phloem
is composed of sieve tubes consisting of sieve-tube elements (as shown in Fig.
2.3.8). Sieve-tube elements are cells where nutrients, sucrose, and organic compounds are
transported. These cells lack some of the essential cell parts like the nucleus and ribosomes, which
makes the transport of substances eff ective. Furthermore, sieve-tube elements have sieve
plates between their end walls. These sieve plates contain pores that regulate the flow of
nutrients from one cell to another. Aside from sieve plates, sieve-tube elements also have
companion cells, which is believed to be a helpful structure in transporting nutrients through the
phloem.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Fig. 2.3.8 Phloem is composed of sieve-tube elements that help in the transport of
nutrients throughout the plant’s body.

In what direction does food and sucrose flow in the

phloem? Why do you say so?

Xylem and phloem are located along the stretch of the plant’s body. It extends from the roots to
stems to leaves. Xylem and phloem form vascular bundles (shown in Fig. 2.3.9) which
arrangement diff ers in roots and stems. In dicot and monocot roots, vascular bundles are
arranged like a stellar. Meanwhile, in monocot and in dicot stems, vascular bundles are scattered
and circular, respectively.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Fig. 2.3.9 Xylem and phloem form vascular bundles and are arranged in circular form in
dicot stems. The picture shows a microscopic view of vascular bundles in a dicot stem.

Did You Know?

The gritty texture you feel while eating pears is actually
sclerenchyma’s sclereids or stone cells.

Sclereids contain lignin which makes it rigid, thus, making the texture
of the pear’s flesh gritty.

Microscopic view of sclereids in a pear

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Key Points
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________

● Plants have two major tissues, namely meristematic and permanent tissues.
○ Meristematic tissues give rise to permanent tissues which will
diff erentiate into specialized cells with certain functions.
○ Permanent tissues are generally responsible for photosynthesis, support, and
transport of water and nutrients.
● Apical and lateral meristems are responsible for primary and secondary growth,
respectively.
○ Primary growth is an increase in plant’s height.
○ Secondary growth is an increase in plant’s diameter and girth.
● Ground tissues are also called fundamental tissues because their functions are
essential for the growth and development of plants.
○ Parenchyma is responsible for storage and photosynthesis.
○ Collenchyma and sclerenchyma provide support to the plant’s body.

Diff erent types of plant cells

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the tissues described in each of the following items.

1. It is a tissue responsible for transporting water throughout the plant’s body.

2. It is a ground tissue that has the thickest secondary walls that provide support to the
plant's body.
3. It is a major type of tissue that is mainly responsible for growth in diameter and girth.
4. It is responsible for protecting the plants from water loss.
5. It is where apical meristems are located.
6. It regulates the opening of stomata in the lower epidermis of leaves.
7. It is found adjacent to sieve-tube elements and is responsible for transporting sugar
through the phloem.
8. It is a ground tissue that is mainly responsible for photosynthesis and storage.
9. These are tiny outgrowths of epidermal cells in the plant’s roots.
10. It is the waxy coat produced by cork cells in woody stems.

B. Write TRUE if the statement is correct. If the statement is incorrect, rewrite

the whole sentence with the correct word/phrase.

1. Parenchyma cells have thick and uneven primary walls but lack secondary walls.
2. Sieve-tube elements are cells of xylem that transport water and minerals throughout
the plant’s body.
3. Cork cambium produces secondary xylem and phloem in mature woody plants.
4. Periderm replaces the epidermis when woody plants start to mature.
5. Ray initials are composed of xylem and phloem rays that produce secondary vascular
tissues.

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
C. Determine the tissue involved in the following situations and explain your
answer.
1. Annual rings determine the age of trees and as they age, they also increase in
diameter.
2. When a stalk of celery is soaked in dyed water, the whole stalk and the leaves of celery
are colored.
3. A name carved on a 10 feet tree trunk is still on the same spot after 10 years.
4. Budding is one of the techniques to grow plants without using seeds. Buds are
transferred to the stem of another plant.
5. Hoya cornosa is an excellent indoor plant. When you drop water on its leaves, water
droplets can easily fall down and will not be absorbed by the leaves.

Challenge Yourself

Read and analyze the situations below, then answer the questions.
1. Drought aff ects water transport in xylem vessels. During drought, roots cannot absorb
water from the soil which results in an increase in tension in the xylem. An increase in
tension in the xylem disrupts the flow of water. What could be its possible eff ects on
plants?
2. Stomata are among the plants’ defenses against pathogenic bacteria. However, there
are some bacteria that can reverse stomatal closure. Pseudomonas syringae DC3000,
a bacterium, can re-open stomata by secreting a chemical eff ector called coronatine
(COR). This mechanism enables this pathogen to enter the plants. If a plant is attacked
by Pseudomonas syringae, what could possibly happen to the plant?
3. Root hairs are outgrowth of the epidermis responsible for increasing the absorption
rate of water from the soil. On what part of the human body can root hairs be
compared?
4. What are the possible eff ects of a disrupted flow of food in the phloem?
5. Mitosis is a process of dividing cells giving rise to new cells. The four stages of mitosis
can be clearly observed in the cells of the growing parts of an organism’s

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Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
body with the use of a microscope. If you wanted to see the stages of mitosis in plant
cells, what part of the plant should you observe under the microscope?

Bibliography
Campbell, Neil A. Biology. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2008.

Ching, Johnny A., Ching, Charmaine E. Biology. Quezon City, Philippines: St. Bernadette
Publishing House Corporation, 2012

Mader, Sylvia S., Michael Windelspecht, and Sylvia S. Mader. Introductory Biology. United
States: McGraw-Hill Create, 2014.

Miller, Kenneth R., and Joseph S. Levine. Prentice Hall Biology. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.

Sabile, Mary Jane G., General Biology 2. Quezon City, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.,
2018

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