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

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

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Ground tissue is responsible for photosynthesis and support and is composed of parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

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

Motor-cells; 2. stomata; 3. sclerenchyma; 4. chlorophyllous layer.

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