Parenhüüm

Parenchyma is a functional tissue found in plants and animals. In plants, parenchyma cells are typically thin-walled and loosely packed, forming the bulk of the plant's soft tissues, such as those in the cortex of roots and stems, the pith, and the mesophyll of leaves. These cells are versatile and can perform various functions including photosynthesis, storage of food and water, secretion, and wound repair. They are fundamental to plant growth and survival.

In animals, parenchyma refers to the essential functional tissue of an organ, as opposed to the supporting connective tissue or stroma. For example, the parenchyma of the liver consists of hepatocytes, which carry out the organ's primary metabolic functions. Similarly, the parenchyma of the kidney is composed of nephrons, responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. The parenchyma is crucial for the specific activity and function of any given organ. The term is derived from Greek words meaning "beside" and "pour in," reflecting its role as the active tissue within an organ.