Bark or rind is the meaning of the prefix (blank) fill in the blank
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct prefix that means “bark” or “rind” is “periderm-“ or “peridermo-“, derived from Greek.
Explanation
The prefix “periderm-“ originates from the Greek word “peri-“ meaning “around,” and “derma” meaning “skin.” Together, periderm literally means “around the skin.” In botanical and biological contexts, it refers to the outer protective layer of plant tissue that replaces the epidermis in mature plants. It functions similarly to bark or rind, offering protection against environmental factors.
In plants, the periderm is made up of three main components:
- Phellogen (cork cambium) – a layer of meristematic tissue that produces the periderm.
- Phellem (cork) – the actual bark-like outer layer formed from dead cells that are impervious to water and gases.
- Phelloderm – a thin layer of living cells formed on the inner side of the phellogen.
Together, these layers form a bark-like covering, especially in woody plants, providing a barrier against pathogens and physical damage. The term periderm is often used in botanical studies when discussing secondary growth in plants and the formation of bark.
In other biological uses, the term can refer to a temporary skin layer in developing embryos of some vertebrates, although this is a less common usage.
It’s important to distinguish that while “bark” or “rind” in everyday language may refer to the outer layers of trees (bark) or fruits (rind), in scientific terminology, periderm is the more accurate descriptor, especially in botany. This prefix is not commonly used in forming general English words, but it is crucial in scientific and medical vocabulary.
Thus, the prefix “periderm-“ appropriately carries the meaning related to bark or rind when describing protective outer layers, particularly in biological or botanical contexts.
