Question

Ground tissue includes
A) Cortex and Pericycle
B) Pith
C) Medullary ray
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint:A tissue is a group of cells, in close proximity, organized to perform one or more specific functions. Ground tissue is one of the plant tissues which is both non-vascular and non-dermal. It consists of all soft parts of the plants.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse the options to find the correct answer.
>Option A: Cortex is the ground tissue which forms the layer next to epidermis and is limited till endodermis. It surrounds the stele. It mainly consists of primary tissue and during growth secondary tissues keep on adding to it forming secondary cortex. The main constituents are parenchyma cells. Pericycle is a ground tissue located between endodermis and vascular bundles. It encompasses the outermost area of intrastelar ground tissue. Pericycle is composed of multiple layers of cells.
>Option B: Pith is the major internally located ground tissue and forms the central part of any stem or root. The pith is surrounded by vascular bundles which are scattered in case of monocotyledonous stems. Pith is mainly parenchymatous in dicot stems while sclerenchymatous in monocot roots.
>Option C: Medullary rays are ground tissue made up of parenchymatous cells and they act as conduits for transport of food and minerals from the pith to the outer cortex. They are situated in between vascular tissues and populate the interfascicular areas.
>Option D: All of the above is the correct option.

Additional information:
>Cortex acts as a protective layer and also helps in storage of food and water.
>Pericycles give rise to lateral roots.
>Medullary rays act as transport channels.

Note:Ground tissue is the largest tissue and it extends from epidermis and is limited to the central cylinder. It consists of different cell types performing different functions. The ground tissue system is important because it serves a variety of essential functions for plants.