parenchyma

[ puh-reng-kuh-muh ]

noun

1. Botany. the fundamental tissue of plants, composed of thin-walled cells able to divide.
2. Anatomy, Zoology. the specific tissue of an animal organ as distinguished from its connective or supporting tissue.
3. Zoology. a type of soft, spongy connective tissue of certain invertebrates, as the flatworms.
4. Pathology. the functional tissue of a morbid growth.

parenchyma

/ ˌpærɛŋˈkɪmətəs; pəˈrɛŋkɪmə /

noun

1. unspecialized plant tissue consisting of simple thin-walled cells with intervening air spaces: constitutes the greater part of fruits, stems, roots, etc
2. animal tissue that constitutes the essential or specialized part of an organ as distinct from the blood vessels, connective tissue, etc, associated with it
3. loosely-packed tissue filling the spaces between the organs in lower animals such as flatworms

parenchyma

/ pə-rĕng′kə-mə /

1. The basic tissue of plants, consisting of cells with thin cellulose walls. The cortex and pith of the stem, the internal layers of leaves, and the soft parts of fruits are made of parenchyma. In contrast to sclerenchyma cells, parenchyma cells remain alive at maturity. They perform various functions, such as water storage, replacement of damaged tissue, and physical support of plant structures. Chloroplasts, the organelles in which photosynthesis takes place, are found in parenchyma cells.
2. Compare collenchyma

Derived Forms

• parenchymatous, adjective

Other Words From

• pa·renchy·mal par·en·chym·a·tous [par-, uh, ng-, kim, -, uh, -t, uh, s], adjective
• inter·pa·renchy·mal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenchyma¹

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek parénchyma literally, something poured in beside, equivalent to par- par- + énchyma infusion; en- ², chyme

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenchyma¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek parenkhuma something poured in beside, from para- ¹+ enkhuma infusion

Example Sentences

That of Pyralis tuberculana constructs a pannier-shaped one of the parenchyma of the leaves of plants.

From Project Gutenberg

These are filled with polygonal cells, which form the true parenchyma of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Parenchyma, pa-reng′ki-m, n. the soft cellular tissue of glandular and other organs, as the pith in plants or the pulp in fruits.

From Project Gutenberg

To ascertain the presence of bubble-cells in the parenchyma of a Spongillid.

From Project Gutenberg

They are the chief constituents of the fleshy parenchyma of fruits, tubers, rhizomes.

From Project Gutenberg