Question

how does the cork act as a protective tissue short answer​

Answer 1

Answer:

It provides mechanical support to the tissue and protect it from being ruptured

Answer 2

The cork cells are dead and compactly packed with no intercellular space. Their cell walls are coated with a waxy substance, suberin, which do not allow water and gases to p@ss through. Therefore, it protects the plant against mechanical injury and also prevents the loss of water by evaporation.