Hardness of woody tissue is due to

Options

A. Silica
B. Lignin
C. Cellulose
D. Suberin

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks about the reason for the hardness of woody tissue. We need to identify which of the given options contributes to this hardness.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option 1: Silica**: Silica is not found in woody tissue. It does not contribute to the hardness of woody tissue. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

- **Option 2: Lignin**: Lignin is a complex polysaccharide found specifically in woody tissues. Its primary function is to provide rigidity and hardness to the cell walls of plants, especially in xylem and phloem tissues. This makes it a strong candidate for the answer.

- **Option 3: Cellulose**: Cellulose is also a polysaccharide that provides rigidity and is present in all plant cells. However, it is not specific to woody tissue. While it contributes to the overall structure of plant cells, it does not specifically account for the hardness of woody tissue.

- **Option 4: Soberan**: Soberan is found in the stem and root and is hydrophobic in nature. It does not contribute to the hardness of woody tissue, making this option incorrect.

3. **Conclusion**: After analyzing all the options, it is clear that lignin is the primary component responsible for the hardness of woody tissue. Therefore, the correct answer is **Option 2: Lignin**.