Question

A plant tissue, when stained, showed the presence of hemicellulose and pectin in cell wall of its cells. The tissue represents

• A. collenchyma
• B. sclerenchyma
• C. xylem
• D. meristem

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Walls of collenchyma are thick, often the thickening is unevenly distributed. They contain in addition to cellulose $(20\%)$, large amounts of pectin $(45\%)$ and hemicellulose $(35\%)$ but no lignin. They are never lignified but may possess simple pits. Presence of cellulose and pectic substances in the cell wall accounts for the high water absorbing capacity of the cells.