In a mature tree,the cortex has been completely replaced by the ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cortex is the outermost layer of the stem, and in a mature tree, it is typically replaced by the periderm. The periderm is a protective tissue that grows to replace the epidermis and cortex in woody stems. It consists of cork cells, cork cambium, and sometimes phelloderm, and it helps to protect the stem from environmental stressors such as drought, temperature changes, and insect damage. The secondary phloem and xylem both grow inward from the cambium layer, but they do not replace the cortex. The vascular rays are structures that run perpendicular to the growth rings in the xylem, and they help to transport nutrients and water horizontally across the stem. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the stem in herbaceous plants, but it is typically replaced by the periderm in woody stems.

In a Mature Tree,the Cortex Has Been Completely Replaced by the ________