sclerenchyma

American  

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

noun

Botany.

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

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sclerenchyma British  

/ sklɪəˈrɛŋkɪmə, ˌsklɪərɛŋˈkɪmətəs /

noun

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

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sclerenchyma Scientific  

/ sklə-rĕng′kə-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

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Other Word Forms

• sclerenchymatous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sclerenchyma

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sclerenchyma

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

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The exodermis is about two cells thick and is made up of sclerenchyma cells that stain red.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The phloem is surrounded by a layer of sclerenchyma cells, then a layer of cortex cells.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The bundles are smaller than in the dicot stem, and distinct layers of xylem, phloem and sclerenchyma cannot be discerned.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

A well developed continuous ring of sclerenchyma is present and this is connected with the epidermal layer at short intervals by means of short sclerenchymatous bands.

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