What is the Difference Between Meristematic Tissue and Permanent Tissue?

The main difference between meristematic tissue and permanent tissue lies in their capacity to divide and their role in plant growth and development. Here are the key differences between the two:

Meristematic Tissue:

1. Cells are undifferentiated and have the ability to divide repeatedly.
2. Intercellular spaces are absent.
3. Vacuoles are usually absent.
4. Cell wall is thin and elastic.
5. Nucleus is large and prominent.
6. Metabolism occurs at a high rate.
7. Meristematic tissues are classified based on their position in the plant body, such as apical meristems, lateral meristems, and intercalary meristems.

Permanent Tissue:

1. Cells are differentiated and have lost their ability to divide.
2. Intercellular spaces are present.
3. Vacuoles are present in living cells.
4. Cell wall can be thick or thin.
5. Nucleus is less conspicuous.
6. Metabolism occurs at a low rate.
7. Permanent tissues are found in mature plants and can be living or non-living.

Meristematic tissues are responsible for plant growth and development, as they can divide and differentiate into various cell types. Permanent tissues, on the other hand, are formed from meristematic tissues and have specific roles in the plant, such as providing mechanical support, conducting water and nutrients, and photosynthesis.

Comparative Table: Meristematic Tissue vs Permanent Tissue

Meristematic tissue and permanent tissue are two types of plant tissues that differ in their structure, function, and cellular composition. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:

Meristematic tissues are composed of undifferentiated cells that have the ability to divide repeatedly, contributing to plant growth. These cells are small, spherical, and have a thin and elastic cell wall. Permanent tissues, on the other hand, consist of differentiated cells with various shapes and sizes. They have a thick cell wall and perform specific functions in the plant body.