Parenkyymasta

Parenkyymasta is the Finnish term used to refer to parenchyma, a fundamental tissue type in plants and, in a broader sense, the functional tissue of an organ in animals. In plants, parenkkyymi forms the majority of soft tissues and consists of living cells with relatively thin primary walls. These cells are usually unspecialized, though they can take on various roles depending on their location.

In plants, several specialized forms of parenchyma exist. Chlorenchyma contains chloroplasts and carries out photosynthesis, primarily in leaves and green stems. Storage parenchyma stores starch, oils, or water in structures such as tubers and seeds. Aerenchyma develops air-filled spaces that aid buoyancy and gas exchange in aquatic or waterlogged plants. Parenchyma cells can also be involved in secretion, wound repair, and transport of nutrients within organs.

Parenchyma is widely distributed throughout the plant body, including the cortex and pith of stems, the mesophyll of leaves, and the cortex of roots. Its cells retain capacity for division, enabling growth and regeneration after injury. This plasticity supports processes such as callus formation and tissue repair.

In animals, the term parenchyma describes the functional tissue of an organ, distinct from its supporting stroma. For example, hepatic parenchyma refers to the hepatocytes that perform the liver’s metabolic tasks. The concept emphasizes the cells responsible for an organ’s primary activities rather than its connective or supportive framework.

Etymology-wise, parenchyma derives from Greek roots meaning “the stuff inside.” The Finnish usage, parenkyymasta, reflects the same concept applied to plant tissue and related biological contexts.