Which description matches collenchyma?

Which description matches collenchyma?

• A. Flexible support, found in growing plants, young stem can bend without breaking
• B. Rigid, strong support; thick cell walls
• C. Storage and photosynthesis
• D. Surrounds vascular tissue in roots

Answer: (A)

Collenchyma provides flexible support in growing parts of plants. Its living cells are elongated with unevenly thickened walls, usually at the corners, which strengthens the tissue without making it rigid. This flexibility lets young stems and other growing shoots bend and elongate without breaking. That makes the description of flexible support in growing plants the best match. The other descriptions fit different tissues: rigid, thick-walled support describes sclerenchyma, which is stiff rather than bendable; storage and photosynthesis describe parenchyma; and surrounding vascular tissue in roots refers to other tissues like the endodermis or pericycle, not collenchyma.

Collenchyma provides flexible support in growing parts of plants. Its living cells are elongated with unevenly thickened walls, usually at the corners, which strengthens the tissue without making it rigid. This flexibility lets young stems and other growing shoots bend and elongate without breaking. That makes the description of flexible support in growing plants the best match.

The other descriptions fit different tissues: rigid, thick-walled support describes sclerenchyma, which is stiff rather than bendable; storage and photosynthesis describe parenchyma; and surrounding vascular tissue in roots refers to other tissues like the endodermis or pericycle, not collenchyma.