Idioblasts are specialized parenchyma cells that are distinguished from surrounding tissue by their contents. These contents may include pigments, oils, crystals, or other substances that the plant is not actively using for metabolic processes.

Explanation:

- Parenchyma cells are a type of simple plant tissue that is found in many parts of the plant, including leaves, stems, and roots.
- These cells have thin cell walls and large vacuoles, giving them a relatively large surface area for metabolic processes.
- Idioblasts are specialized parenchyma cells that are distinguished from surrounding tissue by their contents.
- The term "idioblast" comes from the Greek words "idios" (meaning "peculiar" or "distinctive") and "blastos" (meaning "bud" or "sprout").
- Idioblasts may contain a variety of substances, including pigments (such as anthocyanins), oils (such as essential oils), crystals (such as calcium oxalate), or other substances that the plant is not actively using for metabolic processes.
- Some idioblasts may also contain waste products or toxins that the plant is actively trying to get rid of.
- These cells are often found in specialized structures such as glandular trichomes (hairs on the surface of leaves or stems), which secrete oils or other substances.
- The presence of idioblasts can be used as a diagnostic feature to identify certain plant species, as their contents can be quite distinctive.