University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.

1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory

Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

EXERCISE 2
PLANT TISSUES
INTRODUCTION
Plant tissues are groups of cells that can have the same origin (simple) or a variety of types
(complex) performing different functions in the plant. Together, they make up the organs such as,
flowers, leaves, stem, and roots. The students observed some specimen for simple and complex
permanent tissues with their own variety of tissues. Simple permanent tissue has three types:
Parenchyma, Collenchyma, and Sclerenchyma (sclereids & fibers). Complex permanent tissues
have phloem and xylem. As for the tissue systems, the students also observed plants with Dermal,
Vascular, and Ground tissue system.

OBJECTIVES
The goal of this exercise is for the students to be able to identify and describe the structure
of different types of plant tissues. In addition, the goal also is for them to describe the functions of
each plant tissues, and draw them accurately.

PROCEDURE
PART A. Simple Permanent Tissues
a.) PARENCHYMA
Parenchyma cells make up most of the cortex and pith, and they can be seen
throughout the whole body of the plant. A thin slice of skin was removed from a
tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using a razorblade. Some of the pulp was scraped,
and a wet mount was made on the glass slide. Then, the specimen was observed
under the microscope.
b.) COLLENCHYMA
Collenchyma cells are not that distributed throughout the whole body of the plant
but is alike with the parenchyma cells in terms of them living at maturity. A thin
section of a celery (Apium graveolens) stalk was cut using a razorblade, and a wet
mount was made. The specimen was observed under the microscope after.
c.) SCLERENCHYMA

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The Sclerenchyma has two types of cell that are different in shape but both have
the same thick secondary cell wall, and are dead at functional maturity. The first
type (sclereid), tends to be found in the hardest part of its plant. They have different
shapes and they make the plant tissue hard. The second one (fibers), are support
tissues that are long and narrow in shape. A thin slice of skin from the pear (Pyrus
communis) was removed, and the pulp was scraped, using a razorblade. Afterwards,
a wet mount was made and the specimen was observed under the microscope.
PART B. Complex Permanent Tissues
a.) PHLOEM
The phloem is responsible for the transportation and distribution of dissolved
organic substances like carbohydrates. This is made possible through the sieve
tubes. A prepared slide of Aristolochia old stem was observed under the
microscope.
b.) XYLEM
The xylem transports water and minerals and gives mechanical support to the plant.
Through tracheids (conducting cells), this task is carried out. A prepared slide of
Aristolochia old stem was observed under the microscope.

PART C. Complex Permanent Tissues

a.) THE DERMAL TISSUE SYSTEM
The dermal tissue system is composed of the epidermis (living, flattened
parenchyma cells) and periderm (forms the outer bark of woody plants), that are
covered with a waxy cuticle to minimize water loss. A thin slice of the back of a
celery was extracted using a razorblade and tweezer (for peeling). The specimen
was then placed outside up on the glass slide (wet mount), and then observed under
the microscope.
b.) THE VASCULAR TISSUE SYSTEM
The vascular tissue system is composed of the xylem and phloem, which are both
complex tissues. To examine these tissues, a prepared slide of Aristolochia old stem
was observed under the microscope.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

c.) THE GROUND TISSUE SYSTEM

The ground tissue system is composed of the parenchyma, collenchyma, and
sclerenchyma. A prepared slide of Aristolochia old stem was observed under the
microscope.

DATA AND RESULTS

PART A. Simple Permanent Tissues
a.) PARENCHYMA

intercellular spaces

nucleus

cytoplasm

Figure 1 (Tomato pulp, 10x) Figure 1.1 (Tomato pulp drawing)

b.) COLLENCHYMA

collenchyma

Figure 2 (Celery stalk, 10x) Figure 2.1 (Celery stalk drawing)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

c.) SCLERENCHYMA

Figure 3 (Pear, 10x) Figure 3.1 (Pear | sclereid, 40x)

lumen

Figure 3.1 (Pear | sclereid drawing)

LUMEN

Figure 4 (Tissue paper | fibers, 40x) Figure 4 (Tissue paper | fibers drawing)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

PART B. Complex Permanent Tissues

a.) PHLOEM

phloem

c.) XYLEM

Figure 5 (Aristolochia old stem, 10x) Figure 5.1 (Aristolochia old stem drawing)

b.) XYLEM

xylem

Figure 5 (Aristolochia old stem, 10x) Figure 5.1 (Aristolochia old stem drawing)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

PART C. Complex Permanent Tissues

a.) THE DERMAL TISSUE SYSTEM

guard cells

stoma

epidermal cells

Figure 6 (back of celery, 40x) Figure 6.1 (back of celery, drawing)

b.) THE VASCULAR TISSUE SYSTEM

phloem

xylem

vascular bundle

Figure 5 (Aristolochia old stem, 10x) Figure 5.1 (Aristolochia old stem drawing)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

c.) THE GROUND TISSUE SYSTEM

cortex

collenchyma

parenchyma sclerenchyma

pith

pith
Figure 5 (Aristolochia old stem, 10x) Figure 5.1 (Aristolochia old stem drawing)

DISCUSSION
1. Compare and contrast a simple tissue with a complex tissue. Give an example of each.
Simple tissue are cells with the same origin, structure, and function; complex tissues are
cells coming from a diverse origin, with their own distinct functions. Collenchyma, parenchyma,
sclerenchyma are simple tissues while xylem and phloem are examples of complex tissues.
2. Explain how the unevenly thickened primary cell walls of the collenchyma cells relate to the
function of these cells.
The thickened primary cell walls relate to the function of the cells as they support the plant
without hindering their growth. They basically provide flexibility, allowing the plant/s to bend
without breaking. In addition, they give extra support and fills in the spaces that can be used
for later growth of the plant.
3. Provide the function(s) for each of the cell/tissue types below:
a. Parenchyma cells
Facilitates activities the plants such as photosynthesis, waste excretion, and storing of
energy.
b. Collenchyma cells
Provides flexibility and mechanical support to the plant. It is the reason behind how
plants can bend without breaking.
c. Sclerenchyma cells
Also provides flexibility, protection, and strength to the plants. These cells can form
thick cell wall coverings and give support to the plants for further growth.
d. Xylem
Provides mechanical support and also transports water and minerals to other parts of a
plant (i.e. stem, leaves).
e. Phloem
Transports organic substances such as carbohydrates trough sieve tubes to reach other
parts of a plant.
f. Epidermis
Protects the plant from foreign substances and water loss since it covers the entire surface
of a plant.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

4. What is a dermal tissue? What kinds of cells that comprise it?

A dermal tissue mainly provides the protective covering of a plant. It is comprised of the
Epidermis and the Periderm. The epidermis controls the barrier so that water loss will be
avoided, and harmful gases and other substances won’t get inside the plant. The periderm forms
the outer bark of woody plants since it mainly protects the stem and roots of a plant.
5. What is a vascular tissue? what kinds of cells that comprise it?
The vascular tissue makes up the transport system of plants. It is comprised of the xylem and
phloem, that have different roles in the transportation process. The xylem transports water and
minerals while phloem transports carbohydrates (synthesized foods).
6. What is a ground tissue? what kinds of cells that comprise it?
A ground tissue makes up the for the mechanical support of a plant. It comprises everything
else except those of dermal and vascular tissue. It is comprised of the Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma,
and Parenchyma. Collenchyma provides flexibility, strength, as well as mechanical support for
plants to bend without breaking. Parenchyma provides storage for food and helps in the
photosynthesis process. Lastly, sclerenchyma provides strength, support and hardness for the plant
organs. They form thick walls for protection.

CONCLUSION
As the exercise was concluded, I discovered that despite of the appearance of some plants,
it doesn’t mean that they are weak. Plants are actually strong since aside from having plant organs,
they also have tissue systems that give the plant strength, and mechanical support to thrive in the
environment that they’re in. It is also a reminder for me, as a human being that we shouldn’t hurt
(break, cut just for fun) plants if we’re only doing it for something not beneficial. It truly is amazing
with how you can uncover a deeper understanding of how plants work, how their cell organelles,
tissue system work together to feed, protect, and support plant growth by using a microscope.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK