Question

Major function of cortex is?
A) Conduction of water
B) Storage of water
C) Storage of food
D) Strength

Answer 1

Hint:Cortex is a tissue containing unspecialized cells between the epidermis and vascular system of plants or between roots and stems of the plants.

Complete answer:
Different parts of the plant are specialised to perform various functions. Cortex is the outermost layer of the stems and roots of the plant. They perform a major role in plants. Let us analyze the option to find out their major role.
>Option A: Plants conduct water from roots to all the parts of the plants. For this role, a special system called xylem helps the plants in conducting water across the different parts of the plant.Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
>Option B: Parenchyma cells and tissue found in the plants are responsible for the storage of excess water in plants so that it can be used later.Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
>Option C: Plants have to store the excess food in the form of carbohydrates for further use. This is mainly done by the cortex of the plants that helps in storage of food.Therefore, this is the correct option.
>Option D: To provide strength to the plants parts of the stem called pericycle and hypodermis play a key role. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C) Storage of food.

Note:The cortex of the plants develops into aerenchyma that have a porous form for storing food. Along with starch and carbohydrates, cortex also stores latex, tannins, essential oil.