Which plant tissue consists of dead, thick-walled, lignified cells that provide mechanical support and rigidity to plant organs?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Sclerenchyma is a permanent plant tissue consisting of dead cells characterized by thick, lignified secondary walls that confer mechanical strength, rigidity, and structural support. Other tissues like parenchyma serve primarily for storage and photosynthesis, while collenchyma provides flexible mechanical support to growing plant parts using living cells. Sclerenchyma cells include fibers and sclereids found in hard seed coats and nutshells. The presence of lignin makes these cell walls impermeable to water.