Question

The trunks of tree increase in girth because of mitotic activity in the

• A. Vascular tissue
• B. Epidermis
• C. Meristematic tissue
• D. Pith

Answer 1

The correct option is C Meristematic tissue

Vascular tissue includes xylem and phloem which transport the water and food material in the plant body. Cells of xylem and phloem are permanent i.e., they cannot divide and give rise to new cells.
Epidermis is the outermost layer of the plant. Such cells do not have the capacity to divide and give rise to new cells.
Pith is present in the stem of vascular plants. It is composed of soft, and spongy parenchyma cells. Parenchyma cells are permanent cells and cannot divide and give rise to new cells.
Meritstematic tissue has a capacity to divide and give rise to new cells. Girth increase in the tree is shown by mitotic activity in secondary meristem or cambium. Cells produced by cambium are added on its both sides. Cells which are inside are differentiated into xylem and those on the outside are differentiated into the phloem.

So, the correct answer is option C.