Lignin (Latin Lignum - Wood)

Lignin (lat. Lignum - wood)

Lignin is an organic substance that is part of the cell walls of plants. It gives plants rigidity and strength, forming the so-called “woodiness” of stems, trunks and roots.

Lignin belongs to the group of polymeric compounds and is a complex polymer of phenylpropane units. It is the second most abundant organic substance on Earth after cellulose.

The main function of lignin is to impart mechanical strength to plant cell walls, protection from mechanical damage and the penetration of pathogens. Lignin holds cellulose fibers together, forming a strong frame. The more lignin in cell walls, the stronger and harder they are.

Therefore, woody plants have a much higher lignin content than herbaceous plants. The largest amount of lignin is contained in the cells of conductive and mechanical tissues - xylem and sclerenchyma. It is lignin that gives wood its characteristic hardness and strength.

Thus, lignin is a key structural component of plants, providing their mechanical stability and protection from external influences. Its presence is directly related to the “woodiness” of plant tissues.