Question

What is the main function of sclerenchyma?

Answer 1

Plants are multicellular eukaryotes with tissue systems made of various cell types that carry out specific functions. Plant tissues are characterized and classified according to their structure and function. A simple tissue is made up of similar types of cells which have common origin and function. Three types of simple tissues are : Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma.

Complete answer:
Sclerenchyma: skleros, meaning “hard” and enchyma, an infusion;
Sclerenchyma is a simple, permanent, tissue in plants. when mature, cells are dead. On complete development cells do not have protoplast. They do not have intercellularspace.There is a deposit of lignin in their secondary cell wall. cells show intrusive growth.
On the basis of size, two types of sclerenchyma are; sclereids and fibres..
Sclereids are short, also called stone cells. Their cell wall is very hard with very narrow lumen.
Fibres are elongated with pointed ends. Secondary cell wall is very hard, thick and lignified.
They are present in almost all kinds of plants including trees, grasses, and flowering plants. They provide most of the support in a plant. They have extremely thick cell walls and do not participate in many of the other activities of the developing plants, such as photosynthesis because their focus is strictly on providing support and structure.
The main function of sclerenchyma is to provide mechanical support and strength to the plant.

Note:
Sclerenchyma cells provide rigidity to withstand various ecological stresses, thus functioning as a ‘skeleton’ of the plant system. Usually seen in non growing regions of plants such as bark of mature stems. Sclerenchyma tissues reduce wilting, but for the plants it is energetically costly to create it. On the basis of the function of sclerenchyma, two types of sclerenchymatous tissues are mechanical and conductive.