Question

As the plant get older what are the change the outer protective tissue undergoes ? Explain giving at least two advantages of cork.

Answer 1

As the plants get/grow older, the outer protective tissue undergoes certain changes. When taking a strip of secondary meristem it replaces the epidermis of the stem. Cells on the outside are cut off from this layer. This forms the several-layer thick cork or the bark of the tree. Cells of cork are dead and compactly arranged without intercellular spaces. They also have a chemical called suberin in their walls that makes them impervious to gases and water. This allow to be called as the hollow trees (if the process continues).

Cork on the other hand has an important part in the industry. It also helps it to protect (for certain amount of time) from the acidity of the rain.

Answer 2

As a plant gets older it tends to increase in size, and growth tends to slow. Larger plants tends to need more water and nutrients, which might limit their growth, and hence the growth of new organs such as leaves and flowers. But it does not necessarily lead to a deterioration of the plant at the organism level.

Industrial use of cork:

•It is used in cork flooring.

•It is thermally insulated substance hence used in several industry.

•it is used in various other industries.