Correct option is B
The Correct Answer is (B) Suberin
Explanation:
The impervious nature of cork to water is due to the deposition of suberin, a fatty substance found in the cell walls of cork cells. Suberin makes the cork highly resistant to water, preventing the passage of water through the cork and making it useful in a variety of applications, including as a stopper for bottles.
Information Booster:
Suberin: It is a waxy, hydrophobic compound that is present in the cell walls of cork, creating a waterproof barrier.
Waterproofing Function: Suberin is responsible for making cork impermeable to water and air, giving it its sealing properties.
Presence in Cork: Suberin is found in the outer layers of cork tissue and is the reason for cork’s resistance to decay and moisture.
Uses: Cork is widely used for stoppers in wine bottles, flooring, and insulation due to its water-resistant nature.
Ecological Role: Suberin helps in protecting plant tissues from water loss and pathogen invasion.
Additional Information:
Lignin: Lignin is a complex organic polymer found in the cell walls of plants, providing rigidity, but it does not make cork impermeable to water.
Pectin: Pectin is a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls, particularly in fruits, and it helps in cell adhesion, but it is not responsible for water resistance in cork.
Hemicellulose: Hemicellulose is another component of plant cell walls that aids in structure but does not contribute to the waterproof nature of cork.