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sclerenchyma

American  
[skli-reng-kuh-muh] / sklɪˈrɛŋ kə mə /

noun

Botany.
  1. supporting or protective tissue composed of thickened, dry, and hardened cells.


sclerenchyma British  
/ sklɪəˈrɛŋkɪmə, ˌsklɪərɛŋˈkɪmətəs /

noun

  1. a supporting tissue in plants consisting of dead cells with very thick lignified walls

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sclerenchyma Scientific  
/ sklə-rĕngkə-mə /
  1. A supportive tissue of vascular plants, consisting of thick-walled, usually lignified cells. Sclerenchyma cells normally die upon reaching maturity but continue to fulfill their structural purpose in the plant. There are two types of sclerenchyma cells: fiber cells and sclereids.

  2. Compare collenchyma parenchyma


Other Word Forms

  • sclerenchymatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of sclerenchyma

First recorded in 1860–65; scler- + (par)enchyma

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Parenchyma would show the presence of labeled minerals and sclerenchyma would show the presence of radioactive sucrose.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

There are two types of sclerenchyma cells: fibers and sclereids.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The inner part of the vascular bundle is xylem tissue, and the outer part is sclerenchyma tissue.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Sandwiched between the xylem and sclerenchyma is the phloem.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

As regards size, the epidermal cells overlying the sclerenchyma are small and those lying over parenchyma are larger.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.