Question

Explain sclereids with their types.

Answer 1

Sclereids are dead cells, usually these are isodiametric but some are elongated too. The cell wall is very thick due to lignification. Lumen is very much reduced. The pits may simple or branched. Sclereids are mechanical in function. They give hard texture to the seed coats, endosperms etc., Sclereids are classified into the following types.

1. Branchysclereids or Stone cells: Isodiametric sclereids, with hard cell wall. It is found in bark, pith cortex, hard endosperm and the fleshy portion of some fruits.
   eg: Pulp of Pyrus.
2. Macrosclereids: Elongated and rod shaped cells, found in the outer seed coat of leguminous plants. eg: Crotalaria and Pisum sativum.
3. Osteosclereids (Bone cells): Rod shaped with dilated ends. They occur in leaves and seed coats.
   eg: seed coat of Pisum and Hakea.
4. Astrosclereids: Star cells with lobes or arms diverging form a central body. They occur in petioles and leaves.
   eg: Tea, Nymphae and Trochodendron.
5. Trichosclereids: Hair like thin-walled sclereids. Numerous small angular crystals are embedded in the wall of these sclereids, present in stems and leaves of hydrophytes.
   eg: Nymphaea leaf and Aerial roots of Monstera.