Question

Which of the following are involved in the conversion of sapwood into heartwood?

• A. By degeneration of protoplast of living cells
• B. Tyloses formation
• C. By deposition of resins, oils, gums, etc
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

During the conversion of sapwood to heartwood, the xylem vessels and tracheids get plugged by balloon-like ingrowths of adjacent parenchyma cells. These ingrowths are called tyloses. Later on the parenchyma cells become lignified and dead. The cells of the heartwood also get filled with oils, resins, gums and tannins.