Question

What is the function of ground tissue?

Answer 1

There are three types of basic specialized tissues which are present in vascular plants, 1. dermal tissues, 2. vascular tissues, and 3. ground tissues. A ground tissue arises from the ground meristem. This tissue fills the soft parts of the plants, such as cortex, pith, pericycle, etc.

Complete solution:
Ground tissue is made up of three types of fundamental cells namely parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and collenchyma cells. The classification of these cells is done on the basis of morphology, nature and composition of the cell wall.
The cell walls of Parenchyma cells are relatively thin and most of the cells are alive even after reaching maturity, these cells are commonly found as a filler in ground tissues. These are found in the cortex and pith region of the stem. In roots the cortical region is filled by parenchyma cells. These are also found in the mesophyll of leaves.
Important functions of parenchyma include, it acts as a storage tissue, in photosynthesis, and secretion.
The collenchyma cells have relatively thicker primary cell walls. The sclerenchyma cells have secondary cell walls other than primary cell walls. This secondary cell wall is formed between the plasma membrane and primary cell wall. The sclerenchyma cells are dead at maturity as their walls are lignified. The sclerenchyma cells provide major support to many parts of the plant, whereas collenchyma cells also provide support but not to an extent as that of sclerenchyma does.
Major functions of ground tissue on the basis of cell type-
1. Parenchyma-photosynthesis in the leaves, and storage in the roots.
2. Collenchyma- shoot support in areas of active growth.
3. Sclerenchyma-shoot support in areas where growth has ceased. It is the site of photosynthesis, provides a supporting matrix for the vascular tissue, provides structural support for the stem, and helps to store water and sugars.

Note:
Ground tissue system is heterogeneous in nature, consisting of diverse types of cell elements adapted to carry on different functions. In the axis of higher plants the vascular bundles occupy a restricted position inside the stele or central cylinder.