How does the cork act as a protective tissue?

The cork cells are dead cells and do not have any intercellular spaces. The cell wall of the cork cells are coated with suberin (a waxy substance). Suberin makes these cells impermeable to water and gases. Cork is protective in function; it protects underlying tissues from desiccation, infection and mechanical injury.

The outer protective layer or bark of a tree is known as the cork. It is made up of dead cells.

Therefore, it protects the plant against mechanical injury, temperature extremes, etc. It also prevents the loss of water by evaporation.

Cells of cork are dead and compactly arranged without intercellular spaces. They also have a chemical called suberin in the walls that makes them impervious to gases and water.

The outer protective layer or bark of a tree is known as the cork. It made up of dead cells. Therefore, it protects the plant against mechanical injury, temperature extremes etc. It also prevents the loss of water by evaporation

The cork cells are dead and do not have any intercellular