Coconut husk fibres are used for mats which are tough and fibrous. Which tissue has structural features suitable for providing this strength? Explain why living parenchyma couldn't serve the same purpose.

The tissue responsible for the strength and toughness of coconut husk fibres is sclerenchyma. Sclerenchyma is a simple permanent tissue made up of cells with thick, lignified cell walls, which provide high mechanical strength and rigidity. These cells are usually dead at maturity and form strong fibrous strands that can withstand stretching and mechanical stress. Therefore, coconut husk fibres are tough and suitable for making mats, ropes and brushes.

Living parenchyma cannot serve the same purpose because its cells are thin-walled, soft and mainly involved in storage and other metabolic activities. They usually lack lignified walls, so they do not provide the same toughness and mechanical strength as sclerenchyma. Parenchyma cells are also generally not long and fibre-like, so they cannot form strong strands needed for woven materials like mats. Hence, parenchyma cannot substitute for sclerenchyma in coconut husk fibres.