Tissue and Organ

Cell is known as the structural and functional unit of life. A group of cells having similar structure and performing similar function are known as tissues. A group of tissues forms an organ which performs a single function.

Cells are generally divided into three parts:

Cell membrane: Cell membrane is outer covering of the cell which is soft and thin. It consists of small pores through which important substance comes in and out of the cells. In plant cell, cell membrane is covered by cell wall made up of thick and strong cellulose.

Cytoplasm

It is colorless, semipermeable liquid which is made up of carbohydrate fats and minerals.

Cell organelles

Endoplasmic recticulum

Ribosome

Mitochondria

Golgi bodies

Lysosome

Centrosome

Plastids

Vacuole

Granules

Nucleus

Nucleus controls all the functions of the cell. They are covered by the nuclear membrane. Nucleus contains the fluid called nucleoplasmn and fibre shaped chromatins which are known as chromosomes.

Tissues

A group of cells having similar structure and performing similar function are known as tissues.

Animal tissue

In the animal tissues, there are five categories of tissues:

They are described below:

a. Epithelial tissue

The group of cells which make outer covering of the body or its organ is known as epithelial tissue. This tissue looks like flat stones in surface view. The function of epithelial tissues are covering, protecting, secreting, excreting and absorbing. There are different types of epithelial tissues based on the nature and thickness of cells.

b. Muscular tissue

It is the muscular tissue that causes the movement of different parts of the body. All muscular tissues have great contractibility. This tissue consists of cellular elements in the form of fibers of various length which are called muscle fiber. Muscular tissues are of following types:

i Skeletal muscular tissue

ii Smooth muscle

iii Cardiac muscle

c. Connective tissue

Connective tissue maintains a linkage among various other tissues in the body. Cells of such tissue remain scattered in different parts of the body and perform various functions. The main function of such tissue is to balance the body as well as connect various cells and tissues. There are intercellular spaces filled in with solid or liquid substances called matrix which contain water, fibers and minerals. On the basis of nature of tissue there are three types of connective tissues:

i Soft connective tissue

ii Hard connective tissue

iii Fluid connective tissue

d. Nervous tissue

There is a particular organ that coordinates the functions of different organs in the animal body. This particular organ is the brain. Brain and spinal cord with a network of nerves constitute nervous system. Impulses are carried by nerves to the brain from the different parts of the body, similarly from the brain to different parts. This entire system is made of nervous tissue. Nervous tissue is made up of neuron. A neuron consists of nerve cell body and the fibers.

e .Liquid connective tissue

Blood is a liquid connective tissue. It transports various substances from one part to another. There are three types of blood corpuscles: red blood corpuscles, white blood corpuscles and platelets. These cells are found in floating in fluid called plasma. RBC contains hemoglobin that helps in transportation of oxygen in the body. WBC protects against infection and also helps in the transportation of various substances. Platelet helps the blood to clot, thus preventing the loss of blood from wounds and cuts.

Plants tissue

Plant tissues are of two types:

Merismetic tissue

Merismetic cells lies on the tip of growing plant which have thick cell wall, dense cytoplasm and clear nucleus .the tissue composed of these of this cells are called merismetic tissue .They help in the growth of the plants.

Permanent tissue

The different types of permanent tissues found in the plants are as follows:

a. Simple tissue: A simple permanent tissue consists of same kind of cells which perform a common function. This tissue, on the basis of structure is further classified into parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma.

Parenchyma is found in all plants. This tissue consists of thin walled living cells. Parenchyma present is leaves contain chlorophyll and helps in the process of photosynthesis.

Collenchyma consists of elongated living cells with thick elastic cell wall. The main function of this tissue is to give mechanical support to the plant and help in photosynthesis.

The cell of sclerenchyma is dead or living with thick rigid walls. This tissue gives mechanical support to the plant.

b. Complex tissue

Complex permanent tissues are composed of different types of cells. These tissues differ in their structure and function but work collectively as single unit. This tissue is mainly of two types: Xylem and Phloem.

Xylem is composed of four types of dead cells: trachea, trachids, wood fiber and wood parenchyma. It is found in stem, root, leaf and the inner layer of other hard parts. It conducts water and minerals from the root to other parts and gives support to the plant. It stores water and food as well.

Phloem is made of living cells and s found in stem, root and leaf. It consists of different types of cells like sieve tube, companion cell and phloem parenchymal. Its main function is to conduct the food manufactured in leaves to various parts of the plants.

c. Special tissue

This issue includes glandular and lactiferous tissues made to perform function. Glandular tissues secrete various substances in solution form like oils, resin, gum, mucilage etc and are found in the plants like tobacco, pines, tulsi etc.