Question

how does the cork act as a protective tissue

Answer 1

$\bf\large\color{orange}{Hey\:Friend}$

The cork of a tree acts as a protective tissue bcoz it is quite hard and can't be broken easily.
So, it acts as a protective hard covering outside the tree and protects the tree from any internal or external damages caused due to extreme weather conditions or due to any other factor.

Hope it helps You☺☺

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Answer 2

Cork is a several layered thick tissue present on the outer side of the secondary meristem. Its cells are dead and compactly arranged without intercellular spaces. They have a deposition of a chemical called suberin in their walls which makes them impervious to gases and water. This structural characteristic helps the cork tissue to protect and prevent itself from infection and mechanical injury.