The function of the cortex in the stem is very important for plant life. In plants there are several parts that have their own functions. Several parts of the plant also often support each other in carrying out their roles. One part of the plant that has an important role is the stem.
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The stem has the main role, namely supporting all major parts of the plant. The branches on this plant stand upright to help the leaves reach sunlight during photosynthesis. Generally, plant parts that have a long, round shape like a cylinder have segments that are limited by nodes.
Function of the Cortex in Stems, Important for Plants
Not only to support plants, but there are many other roles of this plant branch. Another role is as a place for the passage of water from the fiber roots to the leaves, determining the layout of the leaves, and also as a means of vegetative reproduction.
This part of the plant also consists of other parts. One part of the branch is the cortex.
The cortex found in the stem of dicotyledonous plants is tissue whose structure consists of parenchyma cells. These parenchyma cells are used as basic tissue.
The cortex is divided into two, namely the outer and inner parts. The outer part consists of collenchyma cells.
The collenchyma cells become one with the parenchyma cells which undergo a process of forming a closed circle. This branch layer, which is composed of parenchymal tissue containing chloroplasts, has thin-walled and irregularly arranged cells with quite wide spaces between cells.
Some types of grass have sclerenchyma tissue as the stem cortex. Meanwhile, plants such as pines or conifers generally do not have reinforcing tissue.
Cortex for Growth
The function of the cortex in the stem is to support its growth better. This part of the plant is known to play a role in storing food reserves.
Food reserves in the form of energy in the form of starch are stored in this part. This role is found in plants such as sago palms and sugar cane.
Not only that, this part of the plant also has a role as an air storage space. For example, lotus plants have relatively tenuous parenchyma tissue and a small amount of reinforcing tissue.
The cells in parenchymal tissue have spaces between cells. The cortex also functions as a place to store water in plants.
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This role is found in cactus plants which generally grow in dry areas. This part of the plant will help the cactus store water for its growth process.
Not only that, one part of the stem also plays a role in nutrient transport. Nutrient transportation starts from the epidermis to the root core.
Helping Plant Survival
The function of the cortex in the stem is also directly to help the survival of the plant. This is evident from the role of this part, namely to store food reserves, store water, and store air.
Food reserves certainly have an important role in providing nutrition to plants. If plants meet their food needs well, they have a great chance of continuing to grow and develop.
Likewise, if plants are not properly supplied with food, this can result in them not developing optimally. The cortex is also important because in plants such as cacti it plays a role as water storage. Water is also important in supporting the survival of all plants.
Tissue After Cortex
Plants are composed of vascular tissue that has a central cylinder. In dicotyledonous plants, the cylinder is found in the cortex or inside the endodermis.
Then the outermost layer is often called the pericambium or pericycle. The inner part is pith and transport bundles.
This part of the transport bundle contains phloem and xylem. Then in the middle of the cylinder or stele there is a pith. Then pith is also found between phloem and xylem.
This part has a shape like a finger or pith finger. Not only that, the xylem and phloem also have cambium. Therefore, the transport file is an open collateral file.
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These are some of the functions of the cortex in the stem which are important for the survival of the plant. Not only as a place to store food reserves, there are many other roles for this part of the plant stem. With this role, plant survival is maximized. (R10/HR-Online)
2024-01-26 09:03:35
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