Chlorenchyma vs. Collenchyma

Main Difference

The main difference between chlorenchyma and collenchyma is that chlorenchyma is a category of modified parenchyma which is photosynthetic, whereas collenchyma is a form of simple permanent tissue that supports plant structurally.

Difference Between Chlorenchyma and Collenchyma

Comparison Chart

Chlorenchyma vs. Collenchyma

Chlorenchyma generally refers to modified parenchyma tissues that have chloroplast and is photosynthetic, whereas collenchyma is a tissue that supports the structure of plant and having unevenly thickened walls with living cells. Chlorenchyma is a modified type of parenchyma tissue, while collenchyma has a simple type of permanent tissues. Chlorenchyma comprises chlorophyll; on the other hand, collenchyma may contain or may not contain chlorophyll. Chlorenchyma is an isodiametric cell in shape; on the contrary, collenchyma is elongated and are used to be angular in transverse section. Chlorenchyma does not consist of secondary cell wall thickening; conversely, collenchyma has unevenly thickened, hard secondary cell wall. In chlorenchyma, the cell walls are not usually interlocked from the corners; on the other hand, in collenchyma, the cell wall corners are interlocked. Chlorenchyma occurs in mesophyll cells of the leaves; on the flip side, collenchyma occurs in a sub-epidermal region of plants. The main functions of chlorenchyma are storage and photosynthesis; whereas providing mechanical supports to the plants is the main function of collenchyma. Chlorenchyma has spaces between the cells, while collenchyma does not have space or little space between the cells. Chlorenchyma cells have a uniform and soft cell wall, whereas collenchyma has unevenly thickened and hard cell wall.

What is Chlorenchyma?

Chlorenchyma generally refers to modified parenchyma tissues that have chloroplast and is photosynthetic founds in the mesophyll of plant leaves. The mesophyll is a structure present in the lower and upper epidermis of plants in leaves. It is the main structure where photosynthesis occurs. In mesophyll, the two types of parenchyma are palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma. Cells are not completely differentiated in the mesophyll of monocot leaf into palisade and spongy parenchyma. So, they are irregular arrange and are oval-shaped. The main functions that it performs while performing photosynthesis are to fill the spaces, storage, and photosynthesis. The cells of chlorenchyma are uniformly arranged, and they do not undergo secondary cell wall thickening. Chlorenchyma has spaces between them. Chlorenchyma is an isodiametric cell in shape.

Types of Parenchyma in Mesophyll

• Palisade Parenchyma: As they actively perform in photosynthesis, so there is a present large number of chloroplasts.
• Spongy Parenchyma: It aids in the gas exchange and contains spaces between cells.

What is Collenchyma?

Collenchyma is a tissue that supports the structure of plant and having unevenly thickened walls with living cells. Collenchyma has a simple type of permanent tissues. They are present in the sub-epidermal regions of the plants. However, they are also the type of ground tissues. Collenchyma has unevenly thickened hard secondary cell wall. Its primary cell wall is made up of cellulose and the secondary cell wall is made up of pectin. Collenchyma could be found in the young parts of the plant like stems, petiole, leaves and also provide strength and elasticity to these parts of the plant. Collenchyma is elongated and is used to be angular in transverse section. Collenchyma does not have spaces or little space between the cells

Types of Collenchyma

• Angular Collenchyma: The secondary cell wall which forms only at the intracellular interaction points.
• Tangential Collenchyma: In tangential collenchyma, the tangential face comprises the secondary cell wall and are present in systematic rows.
• Annular Collenchyma: Angular collenchyma comprise evenly thickened cell walls.
• Lacunar Collenchyma: Lacunar Collenchyma is present in the intercellular spaces of the plant structure.

Conclusion

Above discussion concludes that that chlorenchyma is a category of modified parenchyma and used as storage and for photosynthesis, whereas collenchyma is a form of simple permanent tissue that supports plant structurally.