Select incorrect statement for Sclerenchyma:

Options

A. Provide flexibility and elasticity
B. Mechanical support
C. Low refractive index
D. Have secondary wall thickening

Answer

To determine the incorrect statement regarding sclerenchyma, let's analyze each option step by step:

1. **Understanding Sclerenchyma**: Sclerenchyma is a type of permanent tissue in plants that provides mechanical support. It consists of thick-walled, lignified cells that are usually dead at maturity.

2. **Analyzing the Statements**:
- **Statement 1**: "Provides flexibility and elasticity."
- This statement is incorrect. Sclerenchyma is not responsible for flexibility; that role is taken by collenchyma, which provides flexibility and elasticity to plant structures.

- **Statement 2**: "Provides mechanical support."
- This statement is correct. Sclerenchyma indeed provides mechanical support to the plant.

- **Statement 3**: "Has secondary wall thickening."
- This statement is also correct. Sclerenchyma cells have thick secondary walls that are often lignified.

- **Statement 4**: "Low refractive index."
- This statement is generally correct. Sclerenchyma cells do have a low refractive index due to their lignified walls.

3. **Conclusion**: The incorrect statement about sclerenchyma is the first one, which claims that it provides flexibility and elasticity.

**Final Answer**: The incorrect statement for sclerenchyma is: "Provides flexibility and elasticity."

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