What is the Difference Between Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Collenchyma and sclerenchyma are both supporting tissues in plants, but they have distinct differences in their cell structure, function, and composition. Here are the main differences between collenchyma and sclerenchyma:
- Cell Type: Collenchyma is made up of living cells with protoplasm and unevenly thickened primary cell walls, while sclerenchyma is composed of dead cells with extremely thick secondary cell walls.
- Chemical Nature: The cell walls of collenchyma consist of cellulose and pectin, while the cell walls of sclerenchyma consist of lignin.
- Lumen: Collenchyma cells have a wide lumen, whereas sclerenchyma cells have a narrow lumen.
- Occurrence: Collenchyma is found in dicot stems and leaves, adjacent to outer growing tissues such as the vascular cambium. Sclerenchyma is found in stems around vascular bundles, in the veins of leaves, and in the roots of some seeds and nuts.
- Function: Collenchyma provides flexibility and mechanical support to the plant, allowing it to bend and withstand mechanical stress without breaking. Sclerenchyma, on the other hand, provides mechanical support to the plant and is an integral part of hard structures such as seed coats, leaf veins, and fruits.
In summary, collenchyma is a living tissue that provides flexibility and mechanical support, while sclerenchyma is a dead tissue that offers more rigid and strong support to the plant.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma? Comparative Table: Collenchyma vs Sclerenchyma
Comparative Table: Collenchyma vs Sclerenchyma
Here is a table comparing the differences between collenchyma and sclerenchyma:
| Feature | Collenchyma | Sclerenchyma |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Type | Living cells | Dead cells |
| Cell Wall | Irregularly thickened at corners | Very thick cell walls |
| Function | Provides support and structure | Provides rigidity to the plant |
| Location | Occurs in groups just beneath the epidermis | Found in tissues supporting the plant structure |
| Pectin Content | High pectin content in the primary cell wall | Lower pectin content in the secondary cell wall |
| Staining | Stains pink with Toluidine blue | Stains differently with lignin-specific stains |
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- Collenchyma vs Chlorenchyma
- Parenchyma vs Sclerenchyma
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- Palisade Parenchyma vs Spongy Parenchyma
- Parenchyma vs Mesenchymal Cells
- Fibres vs Sclereids
- Lignin vs Cellulose
- Animal Tissue vs Plant Tissue
- Vascular Cambium vs Cork Cambium
- Chitin vs Cellulose
- Animal Cell vs Plant Cell
- Xylem vs Phloem
- Apoplast vs Symplast
- Mesoderm vs Mesenchyme
- Mesophyll vs Bundle Sheath Cells
- Plant vs Animal Cells
- Cortex vs Epidermis in Plants
- Pericycle vs Endodermis
- Tracheids vs Vessels