MP Board · Class 9 · Science · TissuesWhat is sclerenchyma tissue? State its main characteristics and function in plants.

Sclerenchyma is a simple permanent plant tissue that makes the plant hard and stiff. Its cells are dead, long, and narrow with thick walls made of lignin, a chemical substance acting as cement. There is no internal space inside the cells. It provides structural strength, rigidity, and mechanical support to plant parts like husk of coconut and stems.