There are two main types of vascular tissue in plants: the xylem and phloem. The xylem carries water and dissolved minerals upward—from the root, through the stem, to the leaves. The phloem carries dissolved sugars and organic compounds, made by the cells in the leaves, downward to supply the plant’s stem and root.

Phloem

Below are some of the similarities between plant and animal tissues: Bone tissue provides support for many animals. In plants, some specialised stem tissues have the same function. Arteries, veins which are made of connective tissues transport nutrients, gases and waste in the animal body.

The animal tissues are divided into epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissues. Let us have a glimpse of each type of animal tissue in detail.

The key to plant growth is meristem, a type of plant tissue consisting of undifferentiated cells that can continue to divide and differentiate. Meristem allows plant stems and roots to grow longer (primary growth) and wider (secondary growth).

The apical meristem causes the increase in the length of the plant.It causes such growth by making the ends or tips of plant longer and longer. The increase in length of the shoot and the root is referred to as primary growth, and is the result of cell division in the shoot apical meristem.

Apical meristem

Simple permanent tissues are found below the epidermis of the plant, spread around in layers of cells. Parenchyma is found in the cortex of stem and roots and in the mesophyll of leaves. Collenchyma is found in the leaf stalk and leaf midribs below the epidermis.

The metabolism that occurs in the cells of the permanent tissue is fairly at a lower rate. The permanent tissue in plants mainly helps in providing support, protection as well as in photosynthesis and conduction of water, minerals, and nutrients. Permanent tissue cells may be living or dead.

Three major types of plant tissues are dermal, ground, and vascular tissues.