In: Biology
How is the body of the Ginkgo supported? (Hint: you should give different answers for the stem and the leaves.) How is water distributed throughout the body of the Ginkgo? What process and tissue type(s) is/are involved?
Gingko is a gymnosperm. Gymnosperms are tall trees. They are characterized by the presence of woody bark and vascular tissue.
The support in Gingko in the stem is provided by cork cambium. It is the tissue which cuts xylem and phloem at maturity giving rise to a woody bark. This woody bark is very strong and rigid structure which provide support to all the parts of the tree. This results in the formation of secondary tissue in the stem which is similar to the secondary growth of angiosperms.
The support to the leaves is provided by simple vascular tissue with composed of xylem and phloem. No formation of secondary tissue is seen in case of leaves.
Gingko is a gymnosperm and most of the gymnosperms do not have tracheids and vessels for the transportation of water and nutrients. These are also absent in Gingko. They are transported with the help of transfusion tissue which is characteristically found in leaves.
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