Plant Cell Types

Plant cells are a type of eukaryotic cell that are found in organisms of the Plant Kingdom. As an organism grows, its cells become specialized to perform specific functions. There are various types of plant cells which include: parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, xylem cells, and phloem cells.

Parenchyma cells are the major cells of plants. They make up plant leaves and are responsible for the plants’ metabolism and food production. These cells are typically more flexible than others because they are thinner.

Sclerenchyma cells are very hard and therefore give the plant support. They usually exists in the plant roots and do not live past maturity.

Collenchyma cells are also hard but not as hard as sclerenchyma cells. They also provide plants with support but normally when the plant is young. They grow and stretch as the plant grows.

Xylem cells are also known as water conducting cells. They are hard cells that bring water up to the leaves. They do not live past maturity but their cell wall remains to allow water to flow freely through the plant.

Phloem cells are a system of cells that transports sugar produced by the leaves throughout the plant. These cells live past maturity.

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