Which best matches the plant tissue to its function?
A. Vascular tissue transports materials from the environment into the plant.
B. Dermal tissue produces and stores the plant’s food until it is needed.
C. Meristem tissue uses energy from the sun to produce food for the plant.
D. Ground tissue is the outermost plant tissue that prevents water loss.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Vascular tissue transports materials from the environment into the plant.
Explanation:
Plants have different types of tissues that perform specific functions necessary for survival. Let’s break down the roles of each type of tissue and match it with its appropriate function.
- Vascular tissue (Answer A):
Vascular tissue consists of two main components: xylem and phloem. The xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the soil into the plant, while the phloem transports nutrients, such as sugars, produced by photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant. This tissue acts as a transport system, connecting different parts of the plant to ensure the flow of essential substances, making it responsible for bringing materials from the environment into the plant. - Dermal tissue (Answer D):
Dermal tissue forms the outer protective layer of the plant. The outermost part of this tissue includes the epidermis, which protects the plant from environmental factors such as water loss, pathogens, and physical damage. In many plants, guard cells within the epidermis control the opening and closing of stomata, tiny pores that regulate water loss through transpiration. Thus, dermal tissue does indeed help prevent water loss, not vascular tissue. - Meristem tissue (Answer C):
Meristematic tissue is responsible for the growth of the plant. It contains cells that are capable of continuous division and growth, helping the plant to increase in size. Meristem tissues are found in areas like the apical meristem at the tips of roots and shoots, which allows the plant to elongate and develop new structures. However, meristem tissue does not directly produce food. Chloroplasts in the photosynthetic tissue, like ground tissue, use energy from the sun to make food through photosynthesis. - Ground tissue (Answer B):
Ground tissue is involved in various functions such as photosynthesis, storage, and support. It includes parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells. While some types of ground tissue store food, this tissue is not the outermost layer. The outermost layer is dermal tissue, not ground tissue.
Therefore, vascular tissue is the correct match for transporting materials from the environment into the plant.