Question

how does the cork act as a protective tissue

Answer 1

Cork is an external, secondary tissue that is impermeable to water and gases, and is also called the phellem. The cork is produced by the Cork cambium which is a layer of meristematically active cells which serve as a lateral meristem for the periderm. The cork cambium, which is also called the phellogen, is normally only one cell layer thick and it divides periclinally to the outside producing cork. The phelloderm, which is not always present in all barks, is a layer of cells formed by and interior to the cork cambium. Together, the phellem (cork), phellogen (cork cambium) and phelloderm constitute the periderm. Cork cell walls contain suberin, a waxy substance which protects the stem against water loss, the invasion of insects into the stem, and prevents infections by bacteria and fungal spores.

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Answer 2

cork consist of a substance called as suberin and hence the cork cells are suberised and impervious to water cork are the outer layer of secondary tissue and when after secondary growth bark and lentisels are formed they protect the inner layers from fungal growth and other harmful substances