Question

Cortex is the region found between

• A. endodermis and vascular bundle
• B. epidermis and stele
• C. pericycle and endodermis
• D. endodermis and pith

Answer 1

The correct option is B epidermis and stele

The roots and stems in both dicots and monocots consist of the outermost layer of epidermis, a middle region of cortex and innermost region of stele. Pericycle, vascular bundles and pith constitute the stele.

Hence, cortex is the mass of primary tissue in roots and stems extending inward from the epidermis to the stele. The cortex may consist of one or a combination of three major tissues: parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma.

In dicot stems, the cortex is differentiated into three regions: outermost hypodermis, middle parenchymatous region and inner endodermis. However, in monocot stem, cortex region is highly reduced and is represented by a sclerenchymatous hypodermis.

In dicot and monocot roots, the cortex consists of several layers of parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces and a single layer of endodermis with closely packed cells.