Sklerenkymvev

Sklerenkymvev, or sclerenchyma tissue, is a plant tissue specialized for mechanical support and structural rigidity. It is composed of sclerenchyma cells that have thick, often lignified secondary cell walls, which make the tissue strong and inelastic. Most sclerenchyma cells are dead at maturity, lacking living cytoplasm, which contributes to their rigid, supportive role.

There are two principal forms of sclerenchyma: sclerenchyma fibers and sclereids. Fibers are elongated, slender cells that form continuous strands or bundles, providing tensile strength and stiffness to stems, roots, and other hard plant parts. Sclereids are shorter and irregular in shape; they include stone cells that can occur singly or in groups, such as in the gritty texture of certain fruits or the hard coats of seeds.

The cell walls of sclerenchyma are thick due to extensive lignification, sometimes organized into layers (such as S1, S2, S3 in some species). Because these cells are typically dead when they become functional, they no longer participate in metabolic processes, but their lignified walls resist compression and bending forces.

Sklerenkymvev is distributed in regions where rigidity is advantageous, including stems, roots, around vascular bundles, periderm, and protective structures like seed coats and nutshells. It is commonly contrasted with parenchyma (living, versatile cells involved in storage and metabolism) and collenchyma (living, flexible supportive tissue).

Overall, sclerenchyma provides durable mechanical support for mature plant organs, contributing to the overall strength and longevity of the plant.