Parenchyma Meaning and Definition
Parenchyma
Pronunciation
/pərɛnˈkɪmə/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A type of plant tissue that makes up the bulk of stems, leaves, and roots in vascular plants, responsible for storage and support functions.
Examples
- The parenchyma cells in the plant stem provided structural support.
- The parenchyma tissue in the leaf played a crucial role in photosynthesis.
Synonyms
- Stomatal tissue
- Tissue of storage
Antonyms
- Xylem tissue
- Phloem tissue
Etymology
The term “parenchyma” derives from the Greek words “para” meaning ” beside” and “enchuma” meaning “pith”, referring to the tissue’s position in relation to the vascular tissue.
Usage Notes
In botanical contexts, parenchyma typically refers to the type of tissue responsible for storage and support functions, whereas in biomedical contexts, it may refer to a type of cell that stores and releases various substances.
Cultural References
Parenchyma is not commonly used in popular culture, but it has appeared in scientific and educational contexts, such as in textbooks and documentaries.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
None
Related Words or Phrases
Phloem, xylem, stomatal tissue, tissue of storage
Collocations
Parenchyma cells, parenchyma tissue
Frequency of Use
Parenchyma is a relatively rare term in everyday language, but it is used frequently in academic and scientific contexts, particularly in the fields of botany, biology, and medicine.
Common Misspellings
Parenmaca, Parenchymia, Prenchyma