Question

Cork is impermeable to water and gases because of ________ found within its cells?

• A. cutin
• B. cellulose
• C. lignin
• D. suberin

Answer 1

Answer:

D. suberin

• The walls of cork cells are indeed heavily thickened with suberin, an organic substance.

• Suberin is a complex biopolymer that is highly impermeable to water and gases.

• This property of suberin is what makes cork tissue effective as a protective layer for plants, preventing water loss, providing insulation, and offering defense against pathogens.

• Suberin makes these cells impervious to water and gases.