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Write one important character of permanent tissues

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

The most defining characteristic of permanent tissues is that they are composed of cells that have lost the ability to divide, having differentiated from meristematic tissues into specialized forms with specific functions. Once meristematic cells divide and mature, they undergo permanent structural and functional changes—developing thick or thin walls, forming specific shapes, and sometimes even losing their living contents—to perform dedicated roles such as protection, support, photosynthesis, or storage.

This irreversible differentiation allows permanent tissues to efficiently carry out specialized tasks that meristematic cells cannot perform. For instance, cork cells in protective tissue become dead at maturity with suberized walls for waterproofing, while parenchyma cells remain alive with thin walls for storage and photosynthesis. The permanent nature of these tissues creates structural stability in plants and enables the division of labor among different cell types, much like how specialized organs function in animals. This cellular specialization is fundamental to how complex multicellular plants organize their body structure and maintain functions necessary for survival in diverse environments.

General · Class 12