Which of the following plant tissues lacks living protoplasm at maturity and consists of thick, lignified secondary walls?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Sclerenchyma is a permanent plant tissue characterized by thick, lignified secondary cell walls and the absence of living protoplasm at maturity. The deposition of lignin provides immense mechanical strength, rigidity, and support to mature plant organs like stems and seed coats. Unlike parenchyma and collenchyma, which contain living cells at maturity, sclerenchyma consists primarily of dead cells.