Question

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

Answer 1

it create it's new protective tissue

Answer 2

Changes occurred in Outer Protective Tissue as the plants get older:

As the plants get older the following changes would occur in outer protective tissue,

• The primary meristems of the stem are replaced by the secondary meristems which are newly formed in which the cells in the outer layer are removed.
• Due to formation of secondary meristems it leads to the development of thick cellular structure called as cork or bark.

Advantages of Cork:

• Cork cells are dead and have no inter-cellular spaces due to compact arrangements.
• The chemical named suberin secreted by the cork cells restricts the entry of gases and water into the bark.