Question

What types of cells are present in the secondary cortex of the cork cambium?

Answer 1

Hint:
Meristematic tissue is made up of clusters of immature cells that can divide and produce new cells. Apical meristems are the meristems that grow at the tips of shoots and roots. Both intercalary and apical meristems are primary meristems because they arise earlier in a plant’s life and help in the formation of the plant body.

Complete step by step answer:
The outer epidermal and cortical layers break down and need to be replaced to create new protective cell layers, while the stem resumes increasing in girth because of the activity of the vascular cambium. As a result, phellogen, or cork cambium, finally forms, mainly in the cortical area. It is formed of compact, almost rectangular chambers with thin walls. Outer cells are differentiated into cork or phellem, and the inner cells develop into a phelloderm or secondary cortex. Cork does not let the water inside because of suberin deposition in the cell wall. Cells in the secondary cortex are parenchymatous. Periderm comprises phellem, phelloderm, and phellogen.

Additional Information:
Every year, a new cork cambium develops within the existing one, which creates another layer of periderm in the old periderm. The foremost cork cambium in a stem arises from the parenchyma cells in the outer layers of the cortex. Each of the latest cork cambia emerges from the cortical tissue to the inside till the cortex is utilized in such a manner.

Note:
Lateral meristem grows on the sides of plants and contributes to the growth of their circumference. Intrafascicular cambium is present in the primary lateral meristem. Vascular cambium and cork cambium are secondary meristems.