Collenchyma cells are living, elongated, and irregularly thickened at the corners. Their arrangement with thickened cell walls provides strength and support while allowing flexibility, making them suitable for structures requiring bending in plants.
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The characteristics of collenchyma cells contribute to their supportive function in plants. Collenchyma cells have unevenly thickened primary cell walls, especially at the corners where they are in contact with each other. This thickening provides strength and flexibility, allowing the tissue to support young and growing plant parts without restricting elongation. The cells can elongate as the plant grows, adapting to mechanical stress. The living nature of collenchyma cells also aids in flexibility and resilience. Overall, the combination of thickened cell walls, especially in specific areas, and the ability to elongate makes collenchyma well-suited for providing flexible structural support in developing plant tissues.