Write a note on sclerenchyma tissue.
$\rightarrow$ Sclerenchyma consists of long, narrow cells with thick and lignified cell walls having a few or numerous pits.
$\rightarrow$ They are usually dead and without protoplasts.
$\rightarrow$ Due to deposition of lignin, cell wall is strong, hard and impermeable for water.
$\rightarrow$ Cells don't have intercellular spaces.
Describe importance of companion tissues.
Fibres associated with phloem are...... .fibres.
The companion cells are specialized ........ which are closely associated with sieve tube elements.
They provide mechanical support to the growing parts of the plant such as young stem and petiole of leaf.