Which is correct w.r.t. bark

Options

A. It includes all tissues external to phellogen
B. It is a part of cork
C. Its outer layered is peeled off
D. Its removal has no effect on life of a tree

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Definition of Bark**: Bark is defined as all the tissues that are located outside the vascular cambium in a plant. This includes various layers of cells.

2. **Components of Bark**: The bark consists of multiple layers, which include:
- **Periderm**: The outermost layer of bark, which is further divided into three layers:
- **Phellogen**: The outer layer that produces cork cells.
- **Phellem (Cork)**: The outer layer of the periderm, which is protective and waterproof.
- **Phelloderm**: The inner layer of the periderm, which is living tissue.

3. **Other Tissues in Bark**: Besides the periderm, the bark also contains:
- **Primary Cortex**: The layer beneath the periderm.
- **Pericycle**: A layer of cells that can contribute to the formation of secondary roots.
- **Primary and Secondary Phloem**: Tissues responsible for the transport of nutrients and food.

4. **Cork and Its Characteristics**: Cork, also referred to as phellem, is a significant part of the bark. When the cork layer is removed, it does not affect the life of the tree, indicating that the tree has other mechanisms for survival.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the definitions and components discussed, the correct statement with respect to bark would be that it includes all tissues external to the vascular cambium, primarily consisting of the periderm, primary cortex, pericycle, and phloem.