Question

Which are the external protective tissues of the plant?

• A.
  Cortex and epidermis
• B.
  Cork and cortex
• C.
  Pericycle and cortex
• D.
  Epidermis and cork

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Epidermis and cork
Epidermis and cork are the plant's exterior protecting tissues. The epidermis is a protoderm-derived layer of cells that covers a plant's stem, root, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed components. Mechanical injury, water loss, and infection are all protected by the epidermis and its waxy cuticle. The outer protective tissue of plants changes as they grow older. The epidermis of the stem is replaced by a strip of secondary meristem. Eventually, it turns into numerous layers of thick cork (bark).