Question

distinguish among cortex, pith, Stele, pericycle, and endodermis. of what tissues are they composed? what is the function of each?

Answer 1

Cortex forms the outer part of a plant's stem or root and it is made up of two types of tissues: outermost layer is made up of epidermis and innermost layer is made up of endodermis. Cells of cortex store carbohydrates and secondary metabolites like essential oil, tannin, resins, latex etc.

Pith is a tissue made up of spongy parenchymal cell layer responsible for transportation of nutrients through the plant.

Stele is made up of tissues derived from the procambium and this is the central part of root or stem of a vuscular plant.

Pericycle is the outermost part of stele and made up of a series of cylindrical parenchymal or sclerenchymal cell. Pericycle is responsible for lateral root formation and hold the plant upright.

Endodermis is made up of endodermal cell layer that forms a ring like structure and within this ring like structure live cells reside and this regulate the water uptake.