[puh-reng-kuh-muh] 
| 1. | Botany. the fundamental tissue of plants, composed of thin-walled cells able to divide. |
| 2. | Anatomy, Zoology. the specific tissue of an animal organ as distinguished from its connective or supporting tissue. |
| 3. | Zoology. a type of soft, spongy connective tissue of certain invertebrates, as the flatworms. |
| 4. | Pathology. the functional tissue of a morbid growth. |
| pa·ren·chy·ma (pə-rěng'kə-mə) n.
[New Latin, from Greek parenkhuma, visceral flesh, from parenkhein, to pour in beside : para-, beside; see para-1 + en-, in; see en in Indo-European roots + khein, to pour; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.] pa·ren'chy·mal, par'en·chym'a·tous (pār'ěn-kĭm'ə-təs) adj., par'en·chym'a·tous·ly adv. |
parenchyma pa·ren·chy·ma (pə-rěng'kə-mə)
n.
The distinguishing cells of a gland or organ, contained in and supported by the stroma.
| parenchyma (pə-rěng'kə-mə) Pronunciation Key
The basic tissue of plants, consisting of cells with thin cellulose walls. The cortex and pith of the stem, the internal layers of leaves, and the soft parts of fruits are made of parenchyma. In contrast to sclerenchyma cells, parenchyma cells remain alive at maturity. They perform various functions, such as water storage, replacement of damaged tissue, and physical support of plant structures. Chloroplasts, the organelles in which photosynthesis takes place, are found in parenchyma cells. Compare collenchyma, sclerenchyma. |
kə