Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 Solutions (NCERT 2026–27) – Tissues in Action

These Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 solutions cover Tissues in Action from the new NCF-2023 textbook (2026–27).

Class: 9 Subject: Science Book: Exploration Chapter: 3 Exercise: Revise, Reflect, Refine (15 Qs) Session: 2026–27
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Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 Solutions – Overview

Chapter 3 of Exploration, Tissues in Action, explains how groups of cells form tissues that share a common function. In plants it covers meristematic tissue (which keeps dividing) and permanent tissues — parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, and the complex conducting tissues xylem and phloem — along with the protective epidermis. In animals it covers epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissues, and how each tissue’s structure suits its job. These Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 solutions answer every textbook question step by step.

Key Concepts & Definitions

Tissue: a group of cells of similar origin that work together for a common function.

Meristematic tissue: dividing cells (thin walls, dense cytoplasm, large nucleus); apical, lateral (cambium) and intercalary. Permanent tissue: differentiated cells that have lost the power to divide.

Simple plant tissues: parenchyma (soft, storage/photosynthesis), collenchyma (flexible support), sclerenchyma (dead, thick-walled, strength). Complex tissues: xylem (water + minerals, and support) and phloem (food transport) — made of more than one cell type.

Animal tissues: epithelial (covering/lining), connective (blood, bone, tendon, ligament, etc.), muscular (skeletal, smooth, cardiac), nervous (impulse conduction).

Tendon joins muscle to bone; ligament joins bone to bone.

“Think It Over” — Answers

How is the study of tissues important for life processes and human welfare?

ANSWERStudying tissues helps us understand how organs and whole bodies work, diagnose and treat diseases, carry out tissue culture and grafting, and improve agriculture (plant propagation) and medicine — directly benefiting human welfare.

How are tissues in plants and animals different, and why?

ANSWERPlants are fixed and grow throughout life, so they have many dead, thick-walled supporting cells and dividing meristems. Animals move about, so their tissues are mostly living and specialised for movement and quick responses, with no rigid walls. The difference reflects their different lifestyles.

What makes cells group together to form tissues, and why do some tissues grow throughout life while others do not?

ANSWERCells group together for division of labour — similar cells together perform a function efficiently. Meristematic tissues keep the ability to divide (so they grow throughout life), while permanent tissues are differentiated and have lost the power to divide.

Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 Solutions — Revise, Reflect, Refine

1. Meristematic tissues divide repeatedly. What property of their cells allows them to do this? (i) They have thick walls for protection. (ii) They contain large vacuoles that store nutrients. (iii) They have thin walls, dense cytoplasm and large prominent nucleus. (iv) They are functionally differentiated cells.

ANSWER(iii) Meristematic cells have thin walls, dense cytoplasm and a large prominent nucleus, which lets them divide actively.

2. If a plant is unable to transport food from leaves to roots, which tissue is malfunctioning? (i) Xylem (ii) Phloem (iii) Epidermis (iv) Sclerenchyma

ANSWER(ii) Phloem — it transports food made in the leaves to the rest of the plant.

3. Why are the epithelial tissues that line an animal’s internal organs usually only one or a few cells thick? (i) To store food efficiently. (ii) To provide maximum strength. (iii) To allow quick exchange of materials across them. (iv) To reduce friction.

ANSWER(iii) A thin lining allows substances (gases, nutrients) to be exchanged quickly across it.

4. You can perform two jumps: a straight-leg jump (knees and ankles stiff) and a normal jump (knees and ankles bent naturally). How did your ankle, knee and hip positions differ between the two jumps?

ANSWERIn the straight-leg jump, the ankles and knees stay stiff and nearly straight, so there is little bending and the jump is jerky and low. In the normal jump, the ankles, knees and hips first bend (flex) and then straighten (extend) together, storing and releasing energy, giving a smoother and higher jump. (Observation-based answer.)

5. Which type of joint is involved when you bend your knees and ankles? (i) Ball and socket (ii) Hinge (iii) Pivot

ANSWER(ii) Hinge joint — it allows bending (back-and-forth) movement in one plane, like a door hinge.

6. In each case (A–D), choose: (i) Both A and R true and R is the correct explanation of A; (ii) Both true but R is not the correct explanation; (iii) A true, R false; (iv) A false, R true. A. Assertion: Epithelium is well-suited for gas exchange in the lungs. Reason: It consists of multiple layers of tall cells that slow down diffusion. B. Assertion: Cardiac muscle can contract continuously without fatigue. Reason: Cardiac muscle cells have a high number of mitochondria and an abundant blood supply. C. Assertion: Tendons connect bone to bone and allow joint movement. Reason: Tendons are made of tough connective tissue that transmits force from muscle to bone. D. Assertion: In a hinge joint, movement occurs primarily in one plane. Reason: The bone ends are shaped to allow sliding in all directions.

ANSWER A → (iii): Assertion true (lung epithelium suits gas exchange), but the Reason is false — it is a single, thin, flat layer that speeds diffusion, not multiple tall layers. B → (i): Both true, and the high mitochondria and rich blood supply correctly explain why cardiac muscle resists fatigue. C → (iv): Assertion false — tendons connect muscle to bone (ligaments join bone to bone); the Reason (tendons transmit force from muscle to bone) is true. D → (iii): Assertion true (a hinge moves in one plane), but the Reason is false — the bone ends do not allow sliding in all directions.

7. Using the data in Table 3.7 (age of a teak tree vs diameter and number of annual rings), plot a graph and answer: (i) Analyse the graph in terms of the diameter of the stem over time. (ii) What is the relation between the diameter of the teak tree and the annual rings formed? (iii) Which specialised tissue is responsible for the girth of the stem and where is it located?

ANSWER
Age (years)51020253040
Diameter (cm)4824283240
Annual rings51020253040
(i) The diameter increases steadily as the tree grows older — an older tree has a thicker stem (an increasing, roughly straight-line trend). (ii) The number of annual rings equals the age in years, and the diameter increases as the number of rings increases — more rings (older tree) means a larger diameter. (iii) The lateral meristem (vascular cambium) is responsible for the girth; it lies as a ring between the xylem and phloem in the stem.

8. A tree was severely debarked by an elephant (the bark is rich in nutrients). (i) Which function(s) of the tree is/are hampered by debarking? (ii) Which plant tissue would be affected by further damage to the tree trunk even after debarking? (iii) Which function of the tree would be hampered if the tissues beneath the bark were severely damaged? (iv) What assumptions are you making, and how would the answer change if the assumptions changed?

ANSWER (i) The bark contains phloem, so debarking hampers the transport of food from leaves to the rest of the tree (and reduces protection). (ii) Further damage affects the vascular cambium and then the xylem beneath it. (iii) If the tissues beneath the bark (cambium and xylem) are severely damaged, the transport of water and minerals and the growth in girth stop, and the tree may die. (iv) Assumption: the “bark” includes the phloem and the tree is a typical woody dicot, with xylem still intact after debarking. If only the dead outer bark were removed (phloem intact), the harm would be much less.

9. A young mango sapling’s stem bends flexibly in monsoon winds and does not break. Which tissue is responsible for this flexibility? Predict the impact if it were replaced by sclerenchyma.

ANSWERCollenchyma gives flexible mechanical support to young stems, letting them bend without breaking. If it were replaced by sclerenchyma (dead, rigid, thick lignified walls), the stem would be stiff and brittle and would likely snap in strong wind instead of bending.

10. Sohan grew sugarcane from two types of cuttings; type ‘B’ sprouted but type ‘A’ did not. (i) Why could type B grow but type A could not? (ii) What difference was present in type B compared to type A? (iii) What observation determined whether the change had an effect? (iv) What parameters should be kept the same for a fair comparison?

ANSWER (i) Type B had a node with a bud (containing meristematic tissue), which can sprout into a new plant; type A lacked a node/bud. (ii) Type B contained a node with an axillary bud (meristem); type A was a piece of internode without a bud. (iii) Whether new shoots sprouted and grew (counting/observing the sprouting cuttings). (iv) Keep the same: cutting length and thickness, same soil, water, light, temperature and plant variety — only the presence/absence of a node should differ.

11. Rohan says, “A tissue is a group of similar cells performing similar functions”, but Rajiv argues this is true for simple tissues but different for complex tissues. Explain.

ANSWERRohan’s definition fits simple tissues (parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma), which are made of one type of cell. But complex tissues like xylem and phloem are made of more than one cell type (e.g. xylem has tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and fibres) working together for a common function. So a tissue is better defined as a group of cells of similar origin working together for a common function — Rajiv is correct.

12. Coconut husk fibres used for mats are tough and fibrous. Which tissue provides this strength? Why could living parenchyma not serve the same purpose?

ANSWERSclerenchyma provides the strength — its cells are dead with thick, lignified walls, making them hard and tough. Parenchyma cells are living, soft and thin-walled, so they cannot give the rigidity and tensile strength needed for tough fibres.

13. Vibha claims, “Meristematic cells are located only at the root and shoot apices.” What do you think, and what question could Neha ask to help correct the statement?

ANSWERThe statement is incorrect. Besides the apical meristems at the tips, there are lateral meristems (cambium, which increases girth) and intercalary meristems (at the base of internodes/leaves, e.g. in grasses). Neha could ask, “If meristem is only at the tips, how does a tree grow thicker?” or “How does grass regrow from its base after being cut?”

14. A plant cell and an animal cell are of the same size. (i) Which cell will have a larger vacuole? Give reasons. (ii) What assumptions are you making?

ANSWER (i) The plant cell — mature plant cells have a single large central vacuole (for storage and turgidity), while animal cells have only small vacuoles or none. (ii) Assumptions: both are mature, typical cells of the same overall size, and the plant cell has a developed central vacuole.

15. A textbook states, “Each plant tissue performs only one specific function.” What questions would you ask to critically examine this, and which tissues would you use as examples?

ANSWERAsk: “Does parenchyma do more than one job?” and “Do conducting tissues also support the plant?” Examples: parenchyma can store food, photosynthesise (chlorenchyma) and store air (aerenchyma); xylem both transports water and gives mechanical support. These show a tissue can perform more than one function, so the statement is too absolute and incorrect.

Common Misconceptions to Avoid

Watch out for these

  • Confusing tendon (muscle–bone) with ligament (bone–bone).
  • Swapping xylem (water and minerals, upward) and phloem (food, both directions).
  • Thinking meristem is only at the tips — there are also lateral (cambium) and intercalary meristems.
  • Believing every tissue has just one cell type — complex tissues (xylem, phloem) have several.
  • Expecting parenchyma to give strength — support comes from collenchyma and sclerenchyma.
  • Thinking thick epithelium is best for exchange — a thin single layer speeds diffusion.

Extra Practice Questions

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Which tissue connects a muscle to a bone?

ANSWERA tendon.

Q2. Name the tissue that transports water in a plant.

ANSWERXylem.

Q3. Which muscle works continuously throughout life without tiring?

ANSWERCardiac muscle.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Differentiate between parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma.

ANSWER Parenchyma: living, thin-walled cells for storage and basic functions. Collenchyma: living cells with thickened corners that give flexible support to growing parts. Sclerenchyma: dead cells with thick lignified walls that give rigidity and strength.

Q2. Why is xylem called a complex tissue?

ANSWERBecause it is made of more than one type of cell (tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres) that work together for a common function — the transport of water and minerals and mechanical support.

Long Answer Type Question

Q1. Name the four types of animal tissues and state one function of each.

ANSWER Epithelial tissue — covers and lines body surfaces and organs (protection, exchange). Connective tissue — joins, supports and transports (e.g. blood, bone, tendon, ligament). Muscular tissue — brings about movement by contracting (skeletal, smooth, cardiac). Nervous tissue — receives and conducts impulses for control and coordination.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. The tissue that divides and helps a plant grow is:

(a) parenchyma    (b) meristematic    (c) sclerenchyma    (d) epidermis

2. Phloem transports:

(a) water    (b) minerals    (c) food    (d) air

3. Xylem transports:

(a) food    (b) water and minerals    (c) hormones    (d) oxygen only

4. A tissue that connects muscle to bone is a:

(a) ligament    (b) tendon    (c) cartilage    (d) nerve

5. A tissue that connects bone to bone is a:

(a) tendon    (b) ligament    (c) muscle    (d) phloem

6. Flexibility in young plant stems is provided by:

(a) sclerenchyma    (b) collenchyma    (c) xylem    (d) epidermis

7. The strength of tough fibres like coconut husk comes from:

(a) parenchyma    (b) collenchyma    (c) sclerenchyma    (d) epidermis

8. Which muscle contracts continuously without fatigue?

(a) skeletal    (b) smooth    (c) cardiac    (d) voluntary

9. The protective outer tissue of a plant is:

(a) epidermis    (b) phloem    (c) cambium    (d) cardiac muscle

10. The increase in girth (thickness) of a stem is due to the:

(a) apical meristem    (b) lateral meristem (cambium)    (c) phloem    (d) epidermis

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(b), 5-(b), 6-(b), 7-(c), 8-(c), 9-(a), 10-(b).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: Meristematic cells can divide repeatedly.

Reason: They have thin walls, dense cytoplasm and a large prominent nucleus.

A-R 2. Assertion: Phloem transports food in plants.

Reason: Phloem transports water and minerals upward.

A-R 3. Assertion: Cardiac muscle does not tire.

Reason: It has many mitochondria and a rich blood supply.

A-R 4. Assertion: Tendons connect bone to bone.

Reason: Tendons are made of tough connective tissue.

A-R 5. Assertion: Sclerenchyma provides strength to plant parts.

Reason: Its cells are dead with thick, lignified walls.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(C), 3-(A), 4-(D), 5-(A).

Quick Revision Summary

  • A tissue is a group of cells of similar origin with a common function.
  • Plant: meristematic (dividing) vs permanent (parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma); complex tissues xylem and phloem.
  • Xylem carries water and minerals (and supports); phloem carries food.
  • Animal tissues: epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous.
  • Tendon = muscle to bone; ligament = bone to bone; cardiac muscle is tireless.
  • Girth comes from the lateral meristem (cambium); annual rings record the tree’s age.

Real-life Applications

Tissue knowledge guides real practices: gardeners propagate sugarcane and many crops from cuttings with a node (meristem); foresters read annual rings to find a tree’s age and growth; coir from sclerenchyma fibres is used for ropes and mats; and understanding tendons, ligaments and cartilage helps in treating sports injuries.

How to score full marks in this chapter

Be able to draw and label plant and animal tissues and give one function each. Clearly distinguish tendon vs ligament, xylem vs phloem, and the three simple plant tissues. For assertion–reason questions, judge the Assertion and the Reason separately before choosing the option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 about?

Plant tissues (meristematic and permanent, including xylem and phloem) and animal tissues (epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous), and how their structure suits their function.

What is the difference between a tendon and a ligament?

A tendon connects muscle to bone; a ligament connects bone to bone at a joint.

How many Revise, Reflect, Refine questions are in Chapter 3?

15 questions, all solved on this page along with the “Think It Over” prompts.

Are these Class 9 Science Exploration Chapter 3 solutions free?

Yes. All solutions are free and follow the official NCERT Exploration textbook for 2026–27.

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