Schlerenchyma tissues are a type of plant tissue known for providing structural support. These tissues are composed of cells that are typically dead at maturity. The cell walls of schlerenchyma tissues are thickened with lignin, which makes them rigid and strong. These characteristics help in supporting the plant body and protecting the plant against external mechanical forces.
To clarify, let's consider the types of cells mentioned:
Dead Cells: Schlerenchyma tissues consist predominantly of these, as the cells are dead at maturity and filled with lignin.
Living Cells: These are not characteristic of schlerenchyma tissues. Living cells are more associated with other tissue types, like parenchyma.
Tracheid Cells: These are specific types of conducting cells in the xylem part of vascular plants, which are different from schlerenchyma.
Meristematic Cells: These are undifferentiated cells that are capable of division, found in growth regions of plants, unlike the hardened structure of schlerenchyma.
In summary, schlerenchyma tissues consist mainly of dead cells. Their primary role is structural support, making them distinct from tissues composed of living cells, tracheid cells, or meristematic cells.