AERENCHYMA Meaning and
Definition
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Aerenchyma is a specialized tissue found in certain plant species that enables gas exchange between the roots and other parts of the plant. It is composed of large, air-filled spaces or cavities that function to facilitate the transport of oxygen to submerged tissues and gases produced by anaerobic respiration, such as carbon dioxide and ethylene, away from these tissues.
The term "aerenchyma" is derived from the Greek words "aer," meaning air, and "enchyma," meaning infusion. This tissue is typically found in aquatic or wetland plants, although it can also be present in terrestrial plants in response to flooding or waterlogging.
Aerenchyma formation is a result of a plant's adaptation to its environment, as it helps plants survive under conditions of limited oxygen availability. It allows the roots to respire aerobically and prevents the buildup of harmful gases or toxins in submerged tissues. Furthermore, aerenchyma facilitates the buoyancy of aquatic plants, preventing them from sinking in water.
The structure and composition of aerenchyma can vary among plant species, but it commonly consists of loosely arranged cells with thin cell walls that create interconnected air channels. This porous nature of aerenchyma aids in the transportation of gases, promoting efficient gas exchange between the root system and the rest of the plant.
Common Misspellings for AERENCHYMA
- erenchyma
- zerenchyma
- serenchyma
- werenchyma
- qerenchyma
- awrenchyma
- asrenchyma
- adrenchyma
- arrenchyma
- a4renchyma
- a3renchyma
- aeeenchyma
- aedenchyma
- aefenchyma
- aetenchyma
- ae5enchyma
- ae4enchyma
- aerwnchyma
- aersnchyma
- aerdnchyma
Etymology of AERENCHYMA
The word "aerenchyma" is derived from two Greek words: "aer", meaning air, and "enchyma", meaning tissue.
In plant anatomy, aerenchyma refers to a specialized type of tissue that contains air spaces. This tissue is typically found in aquatic and wetland plants and serves various functions, such as buoyancy, facilitating gas exchange, and allowing the plant to cope with flooding. The term "aerenchyma" was coined to describe this unique tissue composition, emphasizing its adaptation to enable the passage and storage of air within the plant.
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