Aerenkymässä

Aerenkymässä is a biological tissue found in plants that facilitates gas exchange. It is characterized by large intercellular air spaces, also known as lacunae. This tissue is most commonly found in the roots and stems of hydrophytes, which are plants that grow in or around water. The presence of aerenkymässä allows these plants to transport oxygen from the aerial parts of the plant down to submerged tissues, which would otherwise be oxygen-deprived. This oxygen is crucial for respiration in these root cells.

The development of aerenkymässä can occur through two primary mechanisms: lysigenous or schizogenous formation. Lysigenous aerenkymässä forms when individual cells within the plant tissue die and disintegrate, creating air spaces. Schizogenous aerenkymässä, on the other hand, develops as cells separate from each other while remaining alive, forming intercellular spaces. This tissue plays a vital role in the survival and growth of plants in waterlogged or anaerobic environments, enabling them to access essential oxygen for metabolic processes. It is a key adaptation for life in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.