Ground Tissue II
Collenchym: cells with living protoplast, typically longer than wide, cell wall thickness varies, provide elastic stability to plant structures (bend without breaking); often arranged in long cylinders beneath epidermis (e.g. along plant veins)
Sclerenchym: tough, thick cell walls; lack living protoplasts when mature; often impregnated with lignin; two types:
- fibers: long, slender cells grouped in strands
- sclereids: variable in shape, single or in groups (e.g. “stone cells” in peaches give gritty texture)