Which tissue provides mechanical support to the young dicot stem and petiole of a leaf ?

Options

A. Parenchyma
B. Sclerenchyma
C. Collenchyma
D. Phloem

Answer

To determine which tissue provides mechanical support to the young dicot stem and petiole of a leaf, let's analyze the options provided step by step.

### Step 1: Understand the Types of Tissues
First, we need to understand the different types of plant tissues involved:
- **Parenchyma**: This tissue is primarily involved in storage, photosynthesis, and secretion. It does not provide mechanical support.
- **Collenchyma**: This tissue is characterized by living cells that provide flexible mechanical support, particularly in young stems and petioles.
- **Sclerenchyma**: This tissue consists of dead cells and provides rigid support, but it is not typically found in young, growing parts of the plant.
- **Phloem**: This is a vascular tissue responsible for the transport of food, not for mechanical support.

### Step 2: Analyze Each Option
- **Option 1: Parenchyma** - Incorrect, as it does not provide mechanical support.
- **Option 2: Sclerenchyma** - Incorrect, as it does not support young structures.
- **Option 3: Collenchyma** - Correct, as it provides mechanical support to young dicot stems and petioles.
- **Option 4: Phloem** - Incorrect, as it is involved in food transport, not support.

### Step 3: Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the tissue that provides mechanical support to the young dicot stem and petiole of a leaf is **Collenchyma**.

### Final Answer
The correct answer is **Collenchyma**.

---