parenchyma

pa·ren·chy·ma  (p-rngk-m)

n.

1. Anatomy The tissue characteristic of an organ, as distinguished from associated connective or supporting tissues.

2. Botany The primary tissue of higher plants, composed of thin-walled cells and forming the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruit, and the pith of stems.

---

[New Latin, from Greek parenkhuma, visceral flesh, from parenkhein, to pour in beside : para-, beside; see para-¹ + en-, in; see en in Indo-European roots + khein, to pour; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.]

---

pa·renchy·mal, paren·chyma·tous (prn-km-ts) adj.

paren·chyma·tous·ly adv.

---

parenchyma  (p-rngk-m)

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. Compare collenchymasclerenchyma

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	parenchyma - animal tissue that constitutes the essential part of an organ as contrasted with e.g. connective tissue and blood vessels animal tissue - the tissue in the bodies of animals
	2.	parenchyma - the primary tissue of higher plants composed of thin-walled cells that remain capable of cell division even when mature; constitutes the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruits, and the pith of stems plant tissue - the tissue of a plant pulp, flesh - a soft moist part of a fruit pith - soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants chlorenchyma - parenchyma whose cells contain chloroplasts root - (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground foliage, leaf, leafage - the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants