An Introduction to Characteristics of Plant Tissue and Animal Tissue
We know that all species do not have the same cell structure, even though cells are the basic structural and functional unit of all living things. Animals and plants have a higher level of cellular organization compared to more primitive cells like bacteria that have a basic cell structure. Hence, they would vary as cells comprise all tissue systems in an animal or plant body. We shall briefly outline the structure, functions of plant tissue as well as those of animal tissue and key differences among them.
Plant and Animal Tissues; Definition and Explanation
Plant Tissue
The main composition of plant tissue is cellulose, which is the insoluble fibrous substance with a solid structure. This compound is vital to both plant and animal life since it forms part of the genetic code of plants. Cellulolytic hydrolysis entails the enzymatic treatment that breaks down the cellulose in animal cells. This process accelerates the breaking down of proteins way faster since the fragmentation of cellulose into smaller molecules may be absorbed by digestive enzymes.
-
Permanent Simple Plant Tissue
Simple plant tissue appears in a number of ways. The outer layer is called the epidermis. Tissue made up of these cells is compressed tightly into a thin sheet. Many have a waxy covering over their epidermis to protect them from stressful situations, such as high temperatures.
The stroma makes use of epidermis guard cells to work. The stroma controls the flow of air and water in the leaf and enables the plant to transfer water and nutrients along the length of their bodies from the soil.
The parenchyma is one of the important tissues in plant anatomy. Its cells are thin-walled and have big vacuoles. The tissue is present in all parts of the plant but mostly is situated in leaves, stems, and roots. In leaves, the tissue of parenchyma has a very high job in the process of photosynthesis.
-
Permanent Complex Tissue of Plants
There are two types of complex plant tissues, namely phloem and xylem tissues. The sugar is transmitted downwards through the roots and stems via the tissue system referred to as the phloem tissue system. However, the xylem tissue system is designed in a specific way for the transfer of water and nutrients.
Animal Tissue :
The tissues of the animal are made up of cells that contain molecules in their membrane or cytoplasm of proteins. Cells containing protein molecules within their cytoplasm or membrane make up the tissues of animals. Enzymes capable of breaking down proteins are present in the cells of animals. It is called proteolytic hydrolysis. The key difference between plant and animal tissue is the basic constituent: while plant tissue is based on cellulose, protein molecules predominate in animal tissue.
Types of Animal Tissues
Animals possess tissues which are very diverse in their character, each of which performs a number of distinctive functions for the animal. Specialization of animal tissues is also one of the aspects that makes up that virtually incredible range of animals. For example, because of how their structures of nerve and muscle have evolved, animals possess quite a unique ability to perceive changes in their environment and react to such changes. This enables the animals to survive when it runs against other species in a battle for a source of food. Like plants, whose bodies have many tissues, animal bodies also contain several types of tissue. There are commonly four classes:
- Epithelial Tissue
- Muscle Tissue
- Connective Tissue
- Nervous Tissue
The Difference Between Plant and Animal Tissues
| Sl. No. |
Plant Tissues |
Animal Tissues |
| 1 | Cellulose, a strong material that has a particular place in plant tissue and is essential to plant survival, is present in large amount. | Protein, which is an essential part of animal life, is a specialised part of animal tissue. |
| 2 | The energy requirement is less for maintenance. | The energy requirement is more for maintenance. |
| 3 | In plant tissues, the differentiation between meristematic tissues is observed. | The differentiation between meristematic tissues is not observed in animal tissues. |
| 4 | Plant tissues are categorized into two types: permanent tissues and meristematic tissues. | While animal tissues are categorized into four categories names as:
Muscular, epithelial, connective, and nerve tissues. |
| 5 | Simple tissue organisation. | Complex tissue organisation. |
| 6 | Tissue organisation in plants is for plants’ stationary habits. | The mobility of animals is the targeted reason for tissue organisation. |
Conclusion
It has been discussed in the course of this article that the foremost difference between plant tissue and animal tissue lies largely in the structure of their cell walls. Everything is clear by understanding characteristics of plant tissue and animal tissue. That’s because plant photosynthetic cells contain a cellulose-made membrane, but animal tissues contain a protein-made membrane. We also know that cellulose constitutes the large portion of the chemical structure of plant tissue, and proteins comprise the chemical structure of animal tissue. Mucilage is found in plant cells to protect the genetic material from damage by bacteria and germs, thus protecting animal cells from infection. The importance of cellulose in plant biology stands tall as it plays a role in providing support to the strong walls of plant cells which in turn offers protection for plant genes.
