The term virgin cork refers to

Options

A. first periderm
B. last periderm
C. wound cork
D. tissue which do not belong to cork

Answer

To answer the question "The term virgin cork refers to," we can break down the solution into the following steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Cork**:
- Cork is a part of the periderm, which is the outer protective layer of a plant. It is specifically the outermost layer known as the phallum.

2. **Identifying Periderm Layers**:
- The periderm consists of three layers:
- **Phallum**: The outer layer, which is cork.
- **Phallogen**: The cork cambium, which is responsible for producing new cork.
- **Phalloderm**: The inner layer beneath the cork.

3. **Role of Cork Cambium**:
- The cork cambium (phallogen) actively produces new cork cells.

4. **Definition of Virgin Cork**:
- The term "virgin cork" refers to the first layer of cork produced by the cork cambium. It is the newly formed cork that has not been altered or damaged.

5. **Distinction from Other Types of Cork**:
- Virgin cork is different from "wound cork," which refers to cork that forms over a wound or injury in the plant tissue.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, virgin cork is specifically the initial cork layer produced by the cork cambium, making it the first periderm layer.

### Final Answer:
The term virgin cork refers to the first layer of cork produced by the cork cambium in the periderm of a plant.

---