Question

Which of the following statement is NOT correct about sclerenchyma?

A. Sclerenchyma is a simple permanent tissue.

B. The cells of the sclerenchyma are living.

C. Their walls are thickened due to lignin.

D. There is no internal space inside the cells of this tissue.​ ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Correct option is

B

Sclerenchyma cells are usually dead and without protoplasts.

Explanation:

Sclerenchyma consists of long, narrow cells with thick and lignified cell walls having few pits. It is dead and without protoplasts. On the basis of structure, origin and development, sclerenchyma may be either fibres or sclereids. The fibres are thick-walled, elongated and pointed cells. The sclereids are spherical, oval or cylindrical, highly thickened dead cells with very narrow lumen. These are found in the fruit walls of nuts; pulp of fruits like guava, pear and sapota; seed coats of legumes and leaves of tea. Sclerenchyma provides mechanical support to organs.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Sclerenchyma cells are usually dead and without protoplasts.'

Answer 2

Of the following statement B. The cells of the Sclerenchyma are living is not correct

• Sclerenchyma tissues possess thick and lignified cell walls. They have very less or no pits. That's why they are dead and do not have protoplast. Hence, option B. The cells of the sclerenchyma are living is incorrect statement.
• Since Sclerenchyma tissues are made up of only one kind of cells so they are simple permanent tissue. Hence, option A is correct.
• Cell walls of Sclerenchyma tissues have high composition of lignin in them. Hence, option C is also correct.
• Sclerenchyma tissues possess very little to no internal space inside them. Hence, option D is also correct.