Question

The given figure shows

A) Structure of lenticel
B) Hydathode showing gaseous exchange
C) An alga forming spores
D) A fungus producing spores

Answer 1

Hint: The given structure is the porous tissue that makes up the bark of woody stems and roots of many dicotyledonous plants. These structures help in exchanging gas between the atmosphere and the inside of the plant. These are the structures that are similar to that of the stomata present in the leaves.

Complete answer:
The figure given above is of a structure of lenticel. Lenticles are found both on stems and roots. They are made up of tissues which contain large intracellular spaces and function in the exchange of gases between the internal tissues and the bark. The formation of lenticel is related to the growth as well as strength of the shoot.

Maturation of shoots and roots leads to development of lenticel into periderm. In places where there is deficiency of oxygen that in turn leads to difficulty in respiration lenticels play a major role in providing excess oxygen for the plants. Lenticels are also present on specialized structures of plants such as lenticels are found on pneumatophores in common mangrove plants. Lenticels are also sometimes found on fruits like pears and apples.

Hydathodes are pores present on the epidermis of leaf margin that secrete water.Fungi and algae are organisms that belong to Kingdom Protista and fungi that share some characteristics with each other. Spores are the part of the life cycle of various algae and fungi.

So the correct option is A) Structure of lenticel.

Note: Lenticels are important to the plants bearing them. If the lenticels are blocked by any means it may lead to hypoxia and ethanol accumulation and may finally lead to the death of the cell. The plants lose water in the form of vapor and is similar to that of stomata present in the leaves.