Question

: Which type of permanent tissue helps in storing the food in plants?

Answer 1

Plants have various types of tissues for performing various functions. Parenchyma cells are responsible for storage of food and water. These cells are living and vacuolated protoplasm. The parenchyma cells of epidermis have cuticles in their walls.

Complete answer:
The cells of parenchyma are loosely packed. These tissues help in storage of food, water, nutrients, etc and provide support to the plants.
The parenchyma cells are living and polygonal in shape. The central vacuole is found. Intercellular spaces are present between the cells. If chloroplast is found then it is called chlorenchyma and prepares food for the plants. These cells are associated with vascular tissues like xylem and phloem.
There are two types of parenchyma:
Phloem parenchyma: made up of elongated pointed and cylindrical body with densely packed cytoplasm. Plasmodesmata connections occur between the cells through pits in the walls. It stores food and other materials like resins ,latex and mucilages. It is not found in monocotyledons.
Xylem parenchyma: made up of thin walled cells. Stores food in the form of starch and fats and tannins etc.
Radial conduction of water takes place by these cells.
It is the most abundant plant tissue distributed in all the organs of the plants.
In aquatic plants , the cells of the parenchyma are called aerenchyma and provide buoyancy to the plants.
It is modified to perform various functions according to the needs of the plants:
Fibre like elongated parenchyma is called prosenchyma. It provides rigidity and strength to the plants.
Cutinised parenchyma form a protective covering and thus reduces transpiration rate.
Phloem parenchyma is made up of thin walled elongated cells. It takes part in lateral conduction of water and storage of food.
When it contains chloroplast then it is called chlorenchyma and takes part in photosynthesis.
Storage parenchyma is made up of large sized vacuoles which store food and water.
Secretary cells are specialized parenchyma cells that produce fragrance, etc.

Note:
There are mainly three types of plant tissues: (1) Dermal (2) Vascular (3) Ground tissue. Parenchyma is a type of vascular tissue , it is living and plasmodesmata connections exist through which exchange of materials takes place from one cell to another. Small intercellular spaces are present. Phloem parenchyma is absent in most monocotyledons and herbaceous dicot.