Question

The feature which is common to both sapwood and heartwood is
A. Both are involved in the conduction of water
B. Both are the regions of the secondary xylem
C. Both have dead elements with an accumulation of aromatic compounds
D. Both are located in the central layers of the stem

Answer 1

Hint:
There are two types of woods present in the trees such as heart wood and sap wood. Heartwood is the inner layer which is darker in colour whereas sapwood is the outer portion which is pale coloured.

Complete step by step answer:
Sapwood has three important functions in the plants such as conduction, storage, and support. Support is provided by the tracheids in the softwoods and by the fibres in the hardwoods. Conduction of mineral salts and water from the roots to the leaves occurs in the sapwood using the tracheids in the softwoods and vessels in hardwoods. The sapwood stores food usually in the form of starch.
In contrast to sapwood, heartwood has no living cells and does not store reserve materials. It cannot conduct water because it is blocked by the accumulation of aromatic compounds. Heartwood is not essential for the growth and survival of trees. But it provides the main structural support for most trees. Some part of both sapwood and heartwood contains the secondary xylem. Both types of wood are essential for the maintenance of the life of a tree. They give structural support to the tree.

Option ‘B’ is correct

Note:
Because of its susceptibility to wood-destroying insects and fungi, and pale colour, sapwood is generally considered low-grade to heartwood and is often thrown away during modification. However, by use of the proper preservatives, sapwood can be made equivalent if not superior to the heartwood of the same species in durability.