aerenchyma
Sign in to savethumb|alt=Aerenchyma of Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani|Aerenchyma in stem cross section of a typical wetland plant Aerenchyma or aeriferous parenchyma or lacunae is a modification of the parenchyma to form a spongy tissue that creates spaces or air channels in the leaves, stems, and roots of some plants, which allows the exchange of gases between the shoot and the root. The channels of air-filled cavities (see image to right) provide a low-resistance internal pathway for the exchange of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene between the plant above the water and the submerged tissu
Article
3 sectionsContents
- Aerenchyma formation and hypoxia
- Advantages
- References
thumb|alt=Aerenchyma of Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani|Aerenchyma in stem cross section of a typical wetland plant Aerenchyma or aeriferous parenchyma or lacunae is a modification of the parenchyma to form a spongy tissue that creates spaces or air channels in the leaves, stems, and roots of some plants, which allows the exchange of gases between the shoot and the root. The channels of air-filled cavities (see image to right) provide a low-resistance internal pathway for the exchange of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene between the plant above the water and the submerged tissues. Aerenchyma is also widespread in aquatic and wetland plants which must grow in hypoxic soils.
The word "aerenchyma" is Modern Latin derived from Latin ' for "air" and Greek ' for "infusion."