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Stem Anatomy: Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma

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A stem's ground tissue is built from parenchyma cells for metabolism and storage, collenchyma cells for flexible support, and sclerenchyma cells for rigid support.

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Celery's fibrous "strings" are collenchyma; a pear's gritty texture comes from sclereids, a sclerenchyma cell type.

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Sclerenchyma cells provide support though most are dead at maturity — a rigid cell wall outlives the cell itself.