Question

A textbook states, “Each plant tissue performs only one specific function”. What questions would you ask to critically examine the correctness of this statement? What examples of tissues would you take to find out the answers to these questions?

Answer 1

The statement is not completely accurate because many plant tissues are capable of performing more than one function. To analyze this critically, we can ask:

• Can a single tissue perform multiple functions?
• Can the same tissue serve different roles in different parts of the plant or under different conditions?

Consider the following examples:

1. Parenchyma not only stores food but also carries out photosynthesis in the green parts of plants and helps aquatic plants float by forming air spaces. Thus, it has multiple functions.
2. Epidermis primarily protects the plant, but it also contains stomata for gas exchange and transpiration, and root hairs that aid in the absorption of water and minerals.
3. Xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals, and it also provides mechanical support to the plant.

The textbook statement is not totally accurate because these examples show that a single plant tissue can serve multiple purposes.