Jaina Biology

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 48

Cell Structures and Functions
37
other tissues, root, etc.90 That is to say, host individual plants in the beginning of their growth are non-host individual for an antar-muhurta.91 They become host until they are so developed that the sinews and nerve appear on them, when they again become non-host individual.92
The plants in which sinews, links, joints are unexposed or which break clean, which have no threads inside (ahirupa )93 and which can grow from pieces are host bodies, while those tbat are reverse of these are individual (non-host ).94
This Jaina view on the meristematic tissue is jadirectly supported by modern Biology which explains that meristematic tissues are found in the rapidly growing parts of the plant - the tips of the roots and stems, and in the cambium. The meristem in the tips of roots and stems called apical meristem is responsible for the increase in length of roots and stems and the maristem in the cambium called lateral meristem, makes possible the increase in diameter of stems and roots.'95
“ The meristematic tissues are made of small, thin walled cells with large nuclei. They are rich in protoplasm and have few or no vacuoles. Their chief function is to grow, divide and differentiate into all the other types of tissue."96
Protective Tissues (Tvac )97 :
They consist of cells with thick walls98 to protect the underlying thin walled cells from drying out and from mechanical abrasions According to modern Biology, “the epidermis of leaves and the cork layers of stems and roots are examples of protective tissues. They prevent loss of surfaces, increase the absorption surface for the intake of water and dissolved minerals from the soil and prevents the entrance of water into the cork cells."100 90. Sūtrakrtānga, II, 3.47; Gommațasāra. (Jiva ), v. 188. 91. Gommatasarą (Jīva ), p. 117 (comm.) 92. Ibid. 93. Pannavanā, Vanaspat kāyajivapaņņavanā, 54-84; Güdhasira samdbipavvam samabh.
amgamahiruyam ca chinnaruham/Sāhāraṇam sariram tavvibariyam ca patteyam //"
Gommațasāra Jiva ), 18 ; Jivavicära, 12. 94. Ibid. 93. Biology p. 51. 96. Biology. p. 1. 97. "Tvae", Sūtrakrtānga, Srutaskandha II, Adhyayana 3, Sūtra 7.
“Challı", Gommatasara, (Jivakända ), 188, 189. 98. Bije joņibhūde jivo camkamadi so va anno vā / Jevi ya mūlādiya te patteya
padhamadāe / Gominafasāla, (Jiva ), V. 190. 99. Biology. p, 51. 100. Biology, p. 51.