Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3 cover Tissues in Action as per the CBSE 2026 syllabus. A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.
Students will find class 9 science chapter 3 important questions with answers on plant tissues, animal tissues, xylem, phloem, epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscular tissue, nervous tissue, and diagrams.
Your skin, bones, muscles, and the veins of a leaf all contain tissues doing specific jobs. Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3 test how well you understand this organisation. This chapter connects directly to Class 10 Biology and builds your base for structure-function questions. Every class 9 science chapter 3 question answer set here follows the CBSE 2026 syllabus and is arranged by tissue type for focused practice.
Key Takeaways
| Chapter |
Class 9 Science Chapter 3 |
| Topic |
Tissues in Action |
| Syllabus |
CBSE 2026 |
| Question Types |
VSA, Short Answer, Long Answer, Diagram-Based, Assertion-Reason, Case Study |
| Key Topics |
Plant Tissues, Animal Tissues, Meristematic Tissue, Permanent Tissue, Xylem, Phloem, Epithelial Tissue, Connective Tissue, Muscular Tissue, Nervous Tissue |
Class 9 Science Chapter 3 Tissues in Action: Topics Covered
Every topic below has appeared in CBSE school exams. Use this list to identify gaps before starting the question bank.
- Meaning of tissue and division of labour
- Difference between plant and animal tissues
- Meristematic tissue: apical, lateral, intercalary
- Permanent tissue: parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma
- Xylem and phloem: structure and function
- Epithelial tissue: types and locations
- Connective tissue: bone, cartilage, blood, adipose
- Muscular tissue: striated, smooth, cardiac
- Nervous tissue and neuron structure
- Skeletal system: bone, ligament, tendon, and movement
Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3 Tissues in Action
Tissue questions in CBSE 2026 exams test three things: definition, function, and location. Students who memorise names without connecting them to function lose marks on application questions.
Work through VSA first, then move to short answer and long answer questions.
Very Short Answer Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3
Q1. What is a tissue?
Ans. A tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a specific function together. Tissues allow division of labour in multicellular organisms.
Q2. Name the two main types of plant tissues.
Ans. The two main types of plant tissues are meristematic tissue and permanent tissue.
Q3. What is meristematic tissue?
Ans. Meristematic tissue consists of actively dividing cells. It is responsible for the growth of plants. These cells have large nuclei and no vacuoles.
Q4. Name the conducting tissues in plants.
Ans. Xylem and phloem are the conducting tissues in plants. Xylem conducts water. Phloem conducts food.
Q5. What are the four types of animal tissues?
Ans. The four types of animal tissues are epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissue.
Q6. What is a neuron?
Ans. A neuron is the structural and functional unit of nervous tissue. It transmits electrical impulses from one part of the body to another.
Q7. Name the tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Ans. Tendon connects muscle to bone. It is a type of dense connective tissue made of white fibrous tissue.
Q8. What connects bone to bone?
Ans. Ligament connects bone to bone. It is elastic and made of yellow fibrous tissue.
Short Answer Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3 with Answers
Q1. Why do plants and animals have different types of tissues?
Ans. Plants are stationary and have a cell wall. They need more structural support tissue.
Animals move and need more energy. They have more muscular and nervous tissue. Plants also grow throughout life, so they need meristematic tissue.
Q2. Distinguish between meristematic tissue and permanent tissue.
| Feature |
Meristematic Tissue |
Permanent Tissue |
| Cell division |
Active |
No division |
| Cell wall |
Thin |
Thick or varied |
| Vacuoles |
Absent or small |
Large |
| Function |
Growth of plant |
Support, conduction, storage |
| Location |
Tips of roots, shoots |
Rest of plant body |
Q3. Compare xylem and phloem.
| Feature |
Xylem |
Phloem |
| Function |
Conducts water and minerals |
Conducts food |
| Direction |
Upward only |
Both directions |
| Cell type |
Mostly dead cells |
Living cells |
| Components |
Tracheids, vessels, xylem fibres, xylem parenchyma |
Sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem fibres, phloem parenchyma |
Q4. What are the three types of permanent plant tissue? Compare them.
| Feature |
Parenchyma |
Collenchyma |
Sclerenchyma |
| Cell walls |
Thin |
Unevenly thickened |
Uniformly thick and lignified |
| Cell type |
Living |
Living |
Dead at maturity |
| Function |
Storage, photosynthesis |
Flexibility and support |
Mechanical strength |
| Location |
All plant parts |
Stems, leaf stalks |
Stems, seed coats |
Q5. Name the four types of epithelial tissue and state one location for each.
Ans.
- Squamous epithelium: lines the mouth and oesophagus.
- Cuboidal epithelium: lines kidney tubules and salivary glands.
- Columnar epithelium: lines the intestine.
- Ciliated epithelium: lines the respiratory tract.
Q6. Distinguish between striated, smooth, and cardiac muscle.
| Feature |
Striated |
Smooth |
Cardiac |
| Striations |
Present |
Absent |
Present |
| Control |
Voluntary |
Involuntary |
Involuntary |
| Location |
Limbs, body wall |
Alimentary canal, blood vessels |
Heart |
| Shape |
Long, cylindrical |
Spindle-shaped |
Cylindrical, branched |
Long Answer Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3
Q1. Describe the structure and function of a neuron with a labelled diagram description.
Ans. A neuron is the basic unit of nervous tissue. It has three main parts.
Cell body, or cyton, contains the nucleus and cytoplasm. It is the metabolic centre of the neuron.
Dendrites are short, branched extensions from the cell body. They receive nerve impulses from other neurons or sense organs.
The axon is a long, single extension from the cell body. It carries impulses away from the cell body toward another neuron, muscle, or gland.
Many axons are covered by a myelin sheath. This speeds up impulse transmission.
Neurons communicate at junctions called synapses. An electrical impulse travels from dendrites to the cell body and then down the axon.
Q2. Describe the types of connective tissue and give one example of each.
Ans. Connective tissue binds, supports, and connects other tissues and organs.
- Bone: rigid tissue made of calcium and phosphorus salts. It forms the skeleton and supports the body. Example: femur bone.
- Cartilage: flexible tissue that cushions joints and connects ribs to the sternum. Example: cartilage in the ear and nose.
- Blood: fluid connective tissue with plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste.
- Adipose tissue: fat-storing tissue found below the skin and around organs. It insulates the body and stores energy.
- Ligament: elastic connective tissue that connects bone to bone. It stabilises joints.
- Tendon: strong tissue that connects muscle to bone. It transmits force from muscle to bone.

Diagram-Based Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3
Diagram questions in Chapter 3 appear in 2-mark and 3-mark formats. Examiners expect clear labels with arrows pointing to the correct structures.
Practise each diagram from memory before your 2026 exam.
Plant Tissue Diagram Questions Class 9
Q1. Draw and label a parenchyma cell. State its function.
Ans. Label: cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, large central vacuole, cytoplasm.
Parenchyma cells are living, thin-walled cells. They store food and water. In leaves, they contain chloroplasts and carry out photosynthesis.
Q2. Draw and label a sclerenchyma cell. Why are these cells dead at maturity?
Ans. Label: thick lignified cell wall, lumen, no living contents.
Sclerenchyma cells deposit so much lignin in their walls that they lose all living contents. Dead cells with hard, thick walls provide mechanical strength.
Xylem and Phloem Diagram Questions Class 9
Q1. Draw a labelled diagram of xylem. Name its four components.
Ans. Label: tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, xylem fibres.
Tracheids and vessels are dead cells with lignified walls. They form hollow tubes for water transport. Xylem parenchyma stores food. Xylem fibres provide support.
Q2. Draw a labelled diagram of phloem. Name its components and their functions.
Ans. Label: sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres.
Sieve tubes carry food solution. Companion cells control sieve tube function. Phloem parenchyma stores food. Phloem fibres provide support.
Epithelial Tissue Diagram Questions Class 9
Q1. Draw squamous and columnar epithelium. Compare their structure and location.
Ans. Squamous epithelium has flat, scale-like cells arranged in a single layer. It lines the mouth and oesophagus.
Columnar epithelium has tall, column-shaped cells arranged in a single layer. It lines the intestine.
Neuron and Muscle Tissue Diagram Questions Class 9
Q1. Draw a labelled neuron. Name the part that carries impulses away from the cell body.
Ans. Label: dendrites, cell body, nucleus, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminals.
The axon carries impulses away from the cell body. It is the longest part of the neuron.
Q2. Draw and compare striated and smooth muscle cells.
Ans. Striated muscle cells are long, cylindrical, multinucleate cells with bands. They are voluntary and found in limbs.
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with a single nucleus. They are involuntary and found in the alimentary canal and blood vessels.
Important Questions on Plant and Animal Tissues Class 9
Plant tissues questions class 9 and animal tissues questions class 9 are most commonly tested as comparison questions. The structural difference connects to one key fact: plants do not move, animals do.
This section helps students compare tissues by function, location, and cell structure.
Plant Tissues vs Animal Tissues Questions Class 9
Q1. Give four differences between plant tissues and animal tissues.
| Feature |
Plant Tissues |
Animal Tissues |
| Cell wall |
Present |
Absent |
| Growth |
Localised in meristematic zones |
Throughout the body |
| Dead cells |
Common in xylem and sclerenchyma |
Rare |
| Energy need |
Lower |
Higher |
| Repair |
Limited |
Faster |
Q2. Why do plant tissues have more dead cells than animal tissues?
Ans. Plants need structural support more than metabolic activity in many regions.
Dead cells with thick walls, like sclerenchyma and xylem vessels, provide rigidity at low energy cost. Animals need rapid responses and repair, so they need more living cells.
Division of Labour in Multicellular Organisms Questions
Q1. What is division of labour? Why is it necessary in multicellular organisms?
Ans. Division of labour means different cells, tissues, and organs perform specialised functions.
In a single-celled organism, one cell does everything. In a multicellular organism, specialisation makes each function more efficient.
Heart cells pump blood. Muscle cells contract. Epithelial cells protect surfaces.
Meristematic Tissue Important Questions Class 9
Meristematic tissue questions class 9 reward students who know the three types, their locations, and the growth each type produces.
Do not memorise only names. Link each meristem to its exact function.
Apical Meristem Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. What is apical meristem? Where is it found and what does it produce?
Ans. Apical meristem is present at the tips of roots and shoots. It produces primary growth, which means increase in length.
Cells here divide rapidly and continuously. This pushes the root downward and the shoot upward.
Q2. Why does a plant grow taller from the tip and not from the middle?
Ans. Apical meristem is located only at the shoot tip. Cell division here adds new cells above the existing ones.
The middle of the stem has permanent tissue that no longer divides. Growth occurs only where meristematic cells are active.
Lateral Meristem Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. What is lateral meristem? What type of growth does it produce?
Ans. Lateral meristem is found along the sides of roots and stems. It produces secondary growth, which means increase in girth or thickness.
Cambium in stems is a common example of lateral meristem.
Intercalary Meristem Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. What is intercalary meristem? Give one example of where it is found.
Ans. Intercalary meristem is found at the base of leaves and at nodes of stems. It allows grass to grow back after grazing or mowing.
This is why a lawn regrows from the base of the cut blades, not from the tip.
Permanent Tissue Important Questions Class 9
Permanent tissue questions class 9 appear in comparison, definition, and application formats. Study these tissues through function and location.
This helps you answer application questions even when the question is framed differently.
Parenchyma Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. Describe the structure and functions of parenchyma.
Ans. Parenchyma cells are living, thin-walled cells with a large central vacuole. They store food, water, and waste products.
In leaves, they contain chloroplasts and carry out photosynthesis. In aquatic plants, aerenchyma helps the plant float.
Q2. What is aerenchyma? Where is it found?
Ans. Aerenchyma is a type of parenchyma with large air spaces between cells. It is found in aquatic plants.
The air spaces reduce the plant’s density and help it float in water.
Collenchyma Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. How does collenchyma differ from parenchyma?
Ans. Collenchyma cells have unevenly thickened cell walls at the corners. Parenchyma cells have uniformly thin walls.
Collenchyma provides support with flexibility. Parenchyma provides storage and photosynthesis.
Sclerenchyma Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. Why is sclerenchyma called mechanical tissue?
Ans. Sclerenchyma cells have thick, lignified cell walls. They are dead at maturity.
Their rigid walls provide mechanical strength to plant parts like stems and seed coats. Coconut husk and jute fibres are made of sclerenchyma.
Xylem and Phloem Important Questions Class 9
Xylem and phloem questions class 9 appear in diagram, short answer, and comparison formats every year. Know the components, direction of transport, and cell type.
This topic is one of the highest-scoring areas in plant tissues.
Xylem Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. Why is xylem made of dead cells? Does this affect its function?
Ans. Xylem vessels and tracheids are dead. Their walls are lignified and hollow.
Dead cells form continuous hollow tubes that water moves through freely. Living contents would block the tube.
Q2. Name the four components of xylem and state the function of each.
Ans.
- Tracheids: long, dead cells with tapered ends; conduct water and provide support.
- Vessels: shorter, wider dead cells in a continuous tube; help fast water transport.
- Xylem parenchyma: living cells; store food and assist sideways water movement.
- Xylem fibres: dead, thick-walled cells; provide mechanical strength.
Phloem Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. Why is phloem made of living cells unlike xylem?
Ans. Phloem transports food in both directions. This requires active transport, which needs energy.
Living cells can carry out metabolic activities. Dead cells cannot carry out active transport.
Q2. Name the components of phloem and their functions.
Ans.
- Sieve tubes: living cells with perforated end walls; transport food solution.
- Companion cells: control sieve tube metabolism and food loading.
- Phloem parenchyma: store food and assist short-distance transport.
- Phloem fibres: provide mechanical support.
Conducting Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. Why are xylem and phloem called conducting tissues?
Ans. Xylem and phloem form the vascular system of plants.
Xylem conducts water and minerals from roots to leaves. Phloem conducts food from leaves to all plant parts.
Animal Tissues Important Questions Class 9
Animal tissues questions class 9 test both identification and application. Examiners often give a location or function and ask you to name the tissue.
Study each tissue through its function first, then its location.
Epithelial Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Epithelial tissue questions class 9 are among the most commonly asked in Class 9 exams. Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces and lines body cavities.
Q1. What is the function of epithelial tissue?
Ans. Epithelial tissue covers and protects body surfaces and lines internal organs.
It acts as a barrier against physical damage, chemicals, and pathogens. Some epithelial tissues absorb or secrete substances.
Q2. Why are epithelial cells closely packed with little intercellular space?
Ans. Epithelial cells cover surfaces and must form a continuous barrier.
Spaces between cells would allow substances or pathogens to pass through. Close packing ensures complete protection.
Connective Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. What is connective tissue? Why is it called connective?
Ans. Connective tissue connects, supports, and binds other tissues and organs together.
It fills spaces between organs and provides structural framework. It is called connective because its main role is to connect body structures.
Q2. How does blood qualify as connective tissue?
Ans. Blood has cells in a fluid matrix called plasma.
It connects body systems by transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products between organs. This makes it a connective tissue.
Muscular Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. Why is cardiac muscle described as involuntary striated muscle?
Ans. Cardiac muscle has striations like striated muscle. But the heart beats without conscious control.
It is involuntary like smooth muscle but has cross-striations like skeletal muscle. This allows the heart to contract rhythmically.
Q2. Why do muscle cells have more mitochondria than most other cells?
Ans. Muscle cells contract repeatedly. Contraction requires large amounts of ATP.
Mitochondria produce ATP through cellular respiration. More mitochondria support continuous muscle activity.
Nervous Tissue Questions Class 9 Science
Q1. How does nervous tissue differ from other animal tissues?
Ans. Nervous tissue transmits electrical impulses. Other tissues do not.
Nervous tissue has specialised cells called neurons. Neurons have long extensions called axons and dendrites for rapid communication.
Musculoskeletal System Important Questions Class 9
The skeletal system questions in Chapter 3 connect tissues to whole-body function. These questions appear in case study and application formats.
Know how each component contributes to movement.
Bone, Ligament and Tendon Questions Class 9
Q1. Distinguish between ligament and tendon.
| Feature |
Ligament |
Tendon |
| Connects |
Bone to bone |
Muscle to bone |
| Elasticity |
Elastic |
Inelastic |
| Fibre type |
Yellow elastic fibres |
White collagen fibres |
| Function |
Stabilises joints |
Transmits muscle force to bone |
Q2. What happens when a ligament tears?
Ans. A ligament tear destabilises the joint. Bones can move out of their normal position.
The joint becomes painful, swollen, and difficult to move. Severe ligament tears may need surgical repair.
Muscles and Bones Coordination Questions Class 9
Q1. How do muscles, bones, and nerves work together for movement?
Ans. A nerve impulse from the brain or spinal cord reaches a muscle. The muscle contracts.
The tendon attached to the muscle pulls the bone. The bone moves at the joint. Ligaments keep the joint stable.
Q2. Why can muscles only pull and not push?
Ans. Muscle fibres can only contract and shorten. They cannot push.
Muscles work in antagonistic pairs. When one muscle contracts, the opposing muscle relaxes.
Class 9 Science Chapter 3 Assertion Reason Questions
Class 9 science chapter 3 assertion reason questions connect tissue structure to function. The reason must explain the assertion completely.
Read both statements independently before selecting your answer.
Directions: Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Q1. Assertion (A): Xylem vessels are made of dead cells.
Reason (R): Dead cells with hollow, lignified walls form continuous tubes for unobstructed water transport.
Ans. (a) Dead cells have no living contents to block water flow. The reason correctly explains the assertion.
Q2. Assertion (A): Grass grows back after being cut or grazed.
Reason (R): Intercalary meristem at the base of grass leaves continues to divide even after the tip is removed.
Ans. (a) Cutting the tip does not destroy the intercalary meristem. The reason correctly explains the assertion.
Q3. Assertion (A): Cardiac muscle does not fatigue like skeletal muscle.
Reason (R): Cardiac muscle cells have more mitochondria and a continuous blood supply that prevents fatigue.
Ans. (a) More mitochondria and constant oxygen supply sustain cardiac muscle contractions. The reason correctly explains the assertion.
Q4. Assertion (A): Epithelial cells have very little intercellular space.
Reason (R): Epithelial tissue must form a continuous protective barrier on body surfaces.
Ans. (a) Gaps would allow pathogens or chemicals to pass through. The reason correctly explains the assertion.
Q5. Assertion (A): Phloem uses living cells for transport, unlike xylem.
Reason (R): Food transport in phloem requires active metabolic processes that only living cells can carry out.
Ans. (a) Phloem loads and unloads sugars using energy. The reason correctly explains the assertion.
Case Study Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3
Case study questions place tissue biology in real-world contexts. In Chapter 3, these often involve plant applications or medical scenarios.
Read the full passage before answering.
Case Study 1: Plant Tissue Culture
Scientists use plant tissue culture to grow entire plants from a small piece of parent tissue. A small group of cells is placed in a nutrient medium with growth hormones.
The cells divide, differentiate into various tissue types, and eventually form a complete plantlet.
Q1. Which tissue type do scientists usually use for plant tissue culture?
Ans. Scientists use meristematic tissue for plant tissue culture. Meristematic cells divide actively and are totipotent.
Q2. What is totipotency?
Ans. Totipotency is the ability of a single cell to grow into a complete organism.
Plant meristematic cells retain this ability. It is the biological basis of plant tissue culture.
Q3. Name two applications of plant tissue culture.
Ans.
- Producing disease-free plants at a large scale for agriculture.
- Preserving endangered plant species in controlled conditions.
Case Study 2: Ligament and Joint Injury in Athletes
A football player lands awkwardly and feels sharp pain in the knee. The doctor confirms a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL.
The ACL connects the femur to the tibia inside the knee joint.
Q1. What type of tissue is a ligament?
Ans. A ligament is a dense connective tissue made of yellow elastic fibres. It connects bone to bone and stabilises joints.
Q2. Why is an ACL tear more serious than a muscle strain?
Ans. Ligaments have poor blood supply and heal slowly. Muscles have better blood supply and repair faster.
An ACL tear may need surgical reconstruction. A muscle strain usually heals with rest.
Q3. Which tissue connects the muscles around the knee to the knee bones?
Ans. Tendons connect the muscles around the knee to the knee bones.
Tendons are made of white collagen fibres. They are strong and inelastic.
MCQ Practice Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 3
MCQs help students revise definitions, locations, and functions quickly. Use these after completing the long-answer questions.
Q1. Which tissue is responsible for growth in plants?
a) Parenchyma
b) Meristematic tissue
c) Epithelial tissue
d) Nervous tissue
Ans. b) Meristematic tissue
Q2. Which tissue conducts water in plants?
a) Phloem
b) Xylem
c) Collenchyma
d) Parenchyma
Ans. b) Xylem
Q3. Which tissue connects muscle to bone?
a) Ligament
b) Tendon
c) Cartilage
d) Blood
Ans. b) Tendon
Q4. Which animal tissue transmits impulses?
a) Epithelial tissue
b) Connective tissue
c) Nervous tissue
d) Muscular tissue
Ans. c) Nervous tissue
Q5. Which tissue stores fat below the skin?
a) Adipose tissue
b) Cartilage
c) Bone
d) Blood
Ans. a) Adipose tissue
Important Definitions Class 9 Science Chapter 3
| Term |
Definition |
| Tissue |
Group of similar cells performing a specific function |
| Meristematic tissue |
Actively dividing plant tissue responsible for growth |
| Permanent tissue |
Plant tissue that has lost the ability to divide |
| Parenchyma |
Thin-walled living tissue for storage and photosynthesis |
| Collenchyma |
Unevenly thickened living tissue providing flexible support |
| Sclerenchyma |
Thick, lignified dead tissue providing mechanical strength |
| Xylem |
Vascular tissue conducting water upward from roots |
| Phloem |
Vascular tissue conducting food in both directions |
| Epithelial tissue |
Tissue covering body surfaces and lining internal organs |
| Connective tissue |
Tissue that binds, supports, and connects other tissues |
| Tendon |
Dense connective tissue connecting muscle to bone |
| Ligament |
Elastic connective tissue connecting bone to bone |
| Neuron |
Structural and functional unit of nervous tissue |