Certain parts of a plant can be bent easily without breaking. This flexibility in certain parts, like leaf and stem, can be attributed to the abundance of

The flexibility in plant parts like leaves and stems, allowing them to bend without breaking, is primarily attributed to collenchyma tissue. Collenchyma consists of living cells with unevenly thickened cell walls, typically thickened at the corners with cellulose and pectin. This unique structure provides mechanical support while maintaining elasticity, which is essential for growing organs. In contrast, parenchyma is mainly involved in storage and photosynthesis, while sclerenchyma consists of dead cells with highly lignified walls that provide rigidity rather than flexibility [4]. Xylem and phloem are specialized vascular tissues responsible for the conduction of water, minerals, and nutrients [3]. While the cell wall provides general rigidity and strength [4], the specific ability of certain plant parts to remain flexible and resist mechanical stress without fracturing is the hallmark function of collenchyma located beneath the epidermis.

Sources

1. [4] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 13
2. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Transport of food and other substances > p. 96
3. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Transport of food and other substances > p. 95
4. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Transport of water > p. 94