Q- List the characteristics of cork. How are they formed? Mention their role.
Answer- Cork cell forms the outer hardest covering of Plant. This makes the plant body water proof and protects it from germs and any other external injury.
Some main characteristics of cork are as follows:
1. The wall of cork cell is deposited with water-proof suberin. That makes it impermeable.
2. It covers the older stem of woody trees.
3. Cork has a number of microscopic structures called lenticles.
4. Cork is formed of closely placed thick-walled dead cells with no intercellular spaces.
Formation of Cork of plant:
The cork cells are formed of a number of microscopic structures called lenticles. It is formed by activity of cork cambium that is also called as phellogen.
The cork is responsible for several functions. Some of the main functions of cork are as follows:
1. Corks helps in conservation water in the trees.
2. Cork is responsible for the manufacture of isolation board, bottle corks, sport goods e.t.c. .
3. Cork is mainly responsible for protecting tree from germs and any other external injury.