Simple Tissue vs. Complex Tissue

The main difference between simple and complex tissue is, simple tissues are made up of cells of the same type or kind and complex tissues are made up of different. Hence, simple tissue is homogeneous and complex tissue is heterogeneous.

Comparison Chart

Basis Simple Tissue Complex Tissue
Type Homogeneous Heterogeneous
Made of A single type of cell More than one type of cells
Performance Many functions Majorly take part in conduction
Distribution Wide Restricted
Occur All parts of a plant The vascular region of a plant
Function Food storage To protect
Provides Transportation of water and food in plants Support to plants
Examples Collenchyma, parenchyma Phloem, Xylem

What is Simple Tissue?

Simple tissue is made up of the same type of cells and mostly covers the surface of both, internal organs of the body and external organs of the body. Simple tissue is tightly packed together. A simple tissue is called epithelium in animals and epidermis in plants. An example of simple tissue is muscle tissue.

Simple tissues are again classified into three main types. They are parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.

  • Parenchyma – The parenchyma tissue is located in the soft parts of the plant such as cortex and pith. It mainly acts as a packing tissue, providing mechanical support. Parenchyma can be further classified into Aerenchyma and Chlorenchyma.
  • Collenchyma – The collenchyma tissue can be located in the leaf stalks, below the epidermis etc. Its main function is to provide flexibility to the plants as well as mechanical support.
  • Sclerenchyma – The cells of the sclerenchyma tissue are dead. The cell wall is very thick due to the deposition of lignin. The cells of this tissue can be in different shapes and sizes. They are generally located in the leaf veins, hard coverings of the seeds and can also be found surrounding the vascular bundle. The main function of the sclerenchymatic tissue is to provide rigidity and mechanical support to the plant body. They also make the plant stiff and hard.

Simple Tissue

What is Complex Tissue?

Complex tissue is made up of different types of cells. The main purpose of complex tissue is to actually bind organs together and to support them. These tissues are scattered everywhere in the body. They are also known as connectivity tissue in animals and vascular tissue in plants. An example of complex tissue is blood tissue.

They are classified into two types – Xylem and Phloem

  • Xylem  The xylem tissue is responsible for the conduction of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and stem. It also provides support to the plants. It has four elements. They are tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres.
  • Phloem – This complex permanent tissue helps in the translocation of food that is prepared by photosynthesis in the leaves to various parts of the plant. Phloem consists of four elements. They are sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem fibres and phloem parenchyma.

Complex Tissue

Key Differences between Simple Tissue and Complex Tissue

  1. Simple tissue consists of one same type of cells while complex tissue has a different type of cell.
  2. Simple tissue consists of parenchyma, collenchymas and sclerenchyma. While complex tissue consists of xylem and phloem.
  3. Simple tissue occurs in all parts of the plant and complex tissue only occurs in the vascular region.
  4. Simple tissue has wide distribution and complex tissue has restricted distribution.
  5. Complex tissue carries out the function of conduction or transportation.
  6. Simple tissues perform a wide range of functions.
  7. The function of simple tissue is the storage of food, while the function of complex tissue is protection.
  8. Complex tissue prevents water loss and they even help in gaseous exchange.

Video Explanation

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