

 


To study parenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues in plants by preparing
temporary slides.


Flowering plants are structurally complex as they are made up of different
parts like roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. Each part is in turn
an assembly of different types of tissues. Each tissue type has specific
structure and performs a particular function. Plant tissues are broadly
classified into meristematic and permanent tissues. Permanent tissues
may be simple, permanent tissues like parenchyma, collenchyma and
sclerenchyma. Complex permanent tissues are xylem and phloem. The
structural features of tissues like wall characteristics, cell size, lumen
size, and cytoplasmic contents are different in different tissues.


Tender stem of a herb (balsam/Tridax/Petunia/any cultivated
ornamental herb or wild plant), safranin stain solution, dilute glycerine,
chart of transverse section of stem, compound microscope, razor blade,
slide, cover slip, brush, petri dish, and a piece of blotting paper.



16-04-2018
 


A. Making a temporary slide
1. Cut a tender stem of any of the above-mentioned plants
into bits of about 3 cm length and place them in water.
2. Hold a piece between the thumb and forefinger in your
left hand as shown in Fig. 23.1 (a).
(a) 3. Pass a wet blade across the stem in quick motion so
as to get a thin, unbroken, circular cross section of
the material [Fig. 23.1 (b) and (c)].
(b)
4. Repeat the process to get about fifteen transverse
sections of the material.
5. Transfer the sections to a petri dish containing water.
Select a thin, transparent section and with a brush
transfer it to a drop of water taken on a slide. Add
three drops of dilute safranin stain solution to the
section and leave it for about five minutes.
(c) 6. Blot the excess stain. Add three drops of dilute
glycerine on the stained section. Place a cover slip on
Fig. 23.1 : (a) Correct way
it. Focus it under the low power of microscope and
of holding the
material; observe the section.
(b) Correct way 7. Now focus the section under high power and observe
of holding the again. Note and record your observations.
razor blade;
and 8. Starting from the outermost layer, locate the epidermis,
(c) cutting the cortex and vascular tissues [Fig. 23.2(a) and (b)].
section compare the layers with the diagram in the chart.
9. In the layers of cells beginning from epidermis, observe the following
features–
a. Cell wall thin/thick;
b. Arrangement compact/loose;
c. Shape of cell circular/oval/rectangular/polygonal;
d. Intercellular spaces
present/absent;
e. Lumen (cell cavity)
small/large;
f. Nucleus present/absent;
g. Staining of cell wall
deeply stained/mildly stained/no
stain; and
h. Cytoplasm: present/absent
10. Record your observations in the given tabular column.



16-04-2018
 

Cell wall Cell wall

Nucleus
Lumen
Inter cellular
spaces
Cytoplasm

(a) (b)

Fig. 23.2 : (a) Parenchyma; and (b) sclerenchyma


Features Parenchyma Sclerenchyma

a. Cell wall
b. Arrangement
c. Shape of cell
d. Intercellular spaces
e. Lumen
f. Nucleus
g. Staining of wall
h. Cytoplasm


Parenchyma tissue is the most abundant type of tissue in plants. It forms
the major bulk of stem, roots, leaves, fruits and seeds. The tissue is
composed of living cells, with various shapes, sizes and functions. The
cells provide mechanical support to the plant body. The parenchyma also
acts as a storage tissue for food, air and water. Cells of sclerenchyma tissue
are higly lignified with very thick cell walls and obliterated lumen. Cells
are usually elongated and polygonal in shape in cross-section. The tissue
provides the mechanical support and is found below the epidermis and
around the vascular bundles.



16-04-2018
 


• For sectioning, select soft, tender herbaceous stem only. Avoid stems
that are hard and woody.
• Take care not to injure your finger while sectioning.
• Always keep the plant materials and sections in water.
• Use dilute safranin stain solution.
• The trachea and tracheids of xylem tissue appear to be very much
similar to sclerenchyma and may be erroneously identified as
sclerenchyma tissue. Xylem is always confined to the vascular bundle
and is generally not seen in the cortex or pith.


• Features of parenchyma and sclerenchyma are given below for
purpose of their identification
Parenchyma
• Parenchyma constitutes the major type of tissue in plants.
• Parenchyma cells have very thin walls, may be circular,
rectangular, oval or polygonal in shape, loosely arranged in most
cases with intercellular spaces between cells. In some plants
intercellular spaces are absent and the cells are compactly
arranged.
• Parenchyma is composed of living cells with large internal space
(lumen). Under the high power of microscope nucleus may be
visible.
• Epidermis, cortex and pith are essentially composed of
parenchyma tissue.
Sclerenchyma
• Sclerenchyma cells are generally found below the epidermis or
just above the vascular bundles.
• The cells have very thick walls and they stain deep red when
stained with safranin.
• Lumen is reduced and there is no nucleus [Fig. 25.3(b)].
• Cells are generally elongated in vertical section and polygonal in
cross section; compactly arranged without any intercellular spaces.



16-04-2018
 


• In the transverse section of stem which tissue occupies larger
space-parenchyma or sclerenchyma?
• Draw an outline of the section of stem and indicate the regions
where parenchyma and sclerenchyma are situated.
• Which tissue, when matured, has dead cells?
• Mention the main function of sclerenchyma tissue?
• You can bite fruits like guava, grapes, banana etc. but not a piece
of wood. Why?



16-04-2018