Question

Which type of wood is involved in water and mineral conduction?
A. Sapwood
B. Heartwood
C. Sapwood and Heartwood
D. Epidermal cells

Answer 1

Hint: Wood is the hard and dark brown outer covering made up of large dead cells. It functions to provide support, protection, and transport of water and minerals to plants. It consists of secondary xylem which is a conducting tissue.

Complete answer: Most of the cells are formed by the meristem tissue in the plants. The meristem matures to form epidermis, parenchyma, and primary xylem and phloem. The xylem and phloem are the conducting or vascular tissues of a plant. These subsequently become woody forming a cambium layer between primary xylem and phloem. The cambium tissue is a lateral meristem that expands in width. It divides continuously to produce additional xylem inside the stem and additional phloem towards the outer surface of the stem. As the xylem and phloem are conducting tissue, in this stage they are called secondary conducting tissues. The region of the secondary xylem that functions to conduct water is called sapwood. It lies outside the heartwood that is a non-functional xylem. The sapwood is near to cambium and it provides support to the plant. It is often called wet because it conducts water and minerals. On the other hand, the heartwood is darker and harder than the sapwood as it contains tannins, gums, and resins. It only serves the function of support. It is no longer functional in water and mineral conduction.
Therefore, the right answer is option A.

Note: The sapwood is lighter in color and helps to conduct the sap of the plant including water and minerals. The sap is like blood to the plant. It carries all the required material throughout the plant. The heartwood is also called Duramen that is harder than the sapwood.