Animal Tissues vs Plant Tissues - Comparison & Summery

Tissues are groups of cells that perform some definite functions collectively. Biologically, tissues can be divided into two broad heads, namely animal tissues and plant tissues. These tissues constitute the structural basis for multicellular organisms. This is an essential lesson for students who need to seek admission into competitive exams like NEET, AIIMS, and paramedical courses. This is one of the most important topics of Class 11 biology; the structural organisation of plants and animals, with their diversity, form a critical component of higher-level exams.

What Are Animal Tissues And Plant Tissues?

Animals and plants have structurally and functionally different tissues because they serve a role in two entirely different kinds of organisms. Animals have tissues that are adapted toward locomotion, sensory response, and internal regulatory mechanisms, whereas in plants, tissues exist to facilitate photosynthesis, transport water, and provide structural rigidity.

Animal Tissue

There are four types of animal tissues :

• Epithelial tissue
• Muscular tissue
• Connective tissue
• Nerve tissue

Also Read:

• Structural Organisation In Animals
• Cell: The Unit Of Life
• Vascular Tissue System
• Ground Tissue System

Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial tissues sit on a basement membrane containing the acellular matrix protein collagen. It covers the outside of the body and the internal organs. It lines the body cavity. It covers the outer surface of the skin, the inner lining of the mouth, the digestive tract, the nose, and the lungs. They are protective in nature. They are subdivided into four types

• Squamous epithelial tissue

• Stratified epithelial tissue

• Cuboidal epithelial tissue

• Columnar epithelial tissue

Muscular Tissue

Muscular tissue makes up the muscles of our body and allows them to contract and relax. They are made up of muscle cells. The contractile proteins it contains help contract and relax, leading to movement and locomotion. They form three types of muscle named as

• Skeletal muscle tissue

• Smooth muscle tissue

• Cardiac muscle tissue

Connective Tissue

Connective tissue is a specialized tissue that holds body tissues together. It consists of a small percentage of cells and a large amount of extracellular material that separates them. Different types of connective tissue include areolar tissue, adipose tissue (fat), blood, lymph, bone, and cartilage. They connect and support organs and transport substances between them.

Nerve Tissue

These tissues are made up of specialized cells called nerve cells (neurons). They conduct and transmit electrochemical impulses between neurons.

Plant Tissue

Plant tissues can be roughly divided into two

• Meristematic tissue
• Permanent tissue

Meristematic Tissue

Meristematic tissue is composed of a collection of dividing cells. These tissues are composed of small, cuboidal, tightly packed cells that constantly divide to form new cells. Depending on where it is found, the meristematic tissue can belong to three different types :

• Apical meristems

• Lateral meristems

• Intercalary meristems

Permanent Tissue

Permanent tissue is a derivative of meristematic tissue. They do not have the ability to divide, but they support other functions such as material conduction, food storage, etc. There are two types of permanent tissues in plants: simple permanent tissues and compound permanent tissues. Simple permanent tissues include parenchyma, dura, and sclerosis, and complex tissues include xylem and phloem.

Difference Between Plant And Animal Tissues

The difference between animal tissue and plant tissue can be highlighted based on several factors:

Tips, Tricks And Strategies For Animal And Plant Tissues

Given below are some tips and tricks to prepare for the animal and plant tissues:

Diagrams and Tables

Try drawing diagrams of all the animal and plant tissue types. You will often be asked to label or describe these in an exam.

Mnemonics for Type of Tissue

Mnemonics will also enable you to remember the types of tissues. To remember plant tissues take "PMS" as an acronym of Parenchyma, Meristematic, and Sclerenchyma.

Videos and Animations

Watching animations on plant and animal tissues can give you an idea of how they work, especially the vascular system in plants and nervous tissue in animals.

Examples Applied to Daily Life

Animal and plant tissues may be related to your own life experience which can make it harder to forget. For example, you can relate muscle tissues to the contraction of muscles in a simple movement or to the crunchy parts of celery, which contain collenchyma.

Weightage Of Animal And Plant Tissues In Different Exams

The table given below indicates the weightage of questions asked on Animal vs. plant tissues in different exams:

Types Of Questions On Animal Tissue And Plant Tissue In Exams

The table given below indicates the types of questions asked on Animal vs. plant tissues in different exams:

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