Question

Where does the cork cambium or the phellogen develop?

Answer 1

Hint:
Cork cambium is a tissue located in many vascular plants as a part of the epidermis. It is one of the many layers of bark, between the primary phloem and cork. The cork cambium is a lateral meristem responsible for secondary growth that replaces the epidermis in stems and roots. It is present in gymnosperms, woods, some monocots, and herbaceous dicots.

Complete step by step answer:
Cork cambium or phellogen develops from the outermost layer of the cortex, which helps build a secondary cortex called phelloderm inside, and on the outer side, it forms the phellem or cork.
The layer of cork protects against desiccation, but it also separates tissues in the internal components of the stem or trunk so that the exchange of gas with the outer world is impeded. 'Breathing' is yet to be performed by lenticels. The cork cambium begins to develop numerous parenchymal cells toward the surface, in most cases at the level of a stoma. These thin-walled parenchyma cells, which ultimately degenerate, cause an interruption of the sealing created by the cork layer and focus an opening for gas exchange.

Additional Information:
It protects the plants by working as a protector against any physical injuries. It contains suberin, a jelly-like compound that stops water loss from plants. It makes the plants more resistant to fungal and bacterial infections.

Note:
Commercial cork is obtained from the bark of the Quercus suber. Cork has many benefits including bottle stoppers, coasters, bulletin boards, hot pads to protect tables from hot pans, sealing for lids, insulation, flooring, gaskets for engines, etc.