pith and cortex of the stem are parts of

Options

A. dermal tissue system
B. vascular tissue sytem
C. ground tissue sytem
D. epidermal tissue system

Answer

To answer the question about what the pith and cortex of the stem are parts of, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Tissue Systems**: Understand that plant tissues are categorized into different systems: dermal tissue system, vascular tissue system, ground tissue system, and epidermal tissue system.

2. **Define Each System**:
- **Dermal Tissue System**: This includes the outer protective layer of the plant, primarily the epidermis.
- **Vascular Tissue System**: This consists of xylem and phloem, which are responsible for the transport of water, nutrients, and food.
- **Ground Tissue System**: This is the largest tissue system in plants, located between the dermal and vascular tissues. It includes various cell types that perform multiple functions such as storage, photosynthesis, and support.
- **Epidermal Tissue System**: This is essentially the same as the dermal tissue system, focusing on the outer layer.

3. **Locate Pith and Cortex**: The pith is the central part of the stem, while the cortex is located just beneath the epidermis and outside the vascular tissue.

4. **Classify Pith and Cortex**: Since both pith and cortex are found between the epidermis and the vascular tissues, they are classified as part of the ground tissue system.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the pith and cortex of the stem are parts of the **ground tissue system**.

### Final Answer:
The pith and cortex of the stem are parts of the **ground tissue system**.

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