Which tissue types make up the ground tissue system in plants?

Which tissue types make up the ground tissue system in plants?

• A. Cortex, pith, endodermis
• B. Xylem and phloem
• C. Epidermis and stomata
• D. Guard cells, sclerenchyma

Answer: (A)

Ground tissue fills the interior of plant organs and carries out storage, photosynthesis, and support. Cortex, pith, and endodermis are all regions composed of this tissue type, so together they represent the ground tissue system. The cortex sits between the epidermis and the vascular bundles in roots and stems, the pith is the central storage region in many stems, and the endodermis is the inner boundary layer surrounding the vascular cylinder—all derived from ground tissue. In contrast, xylem and phloem are vascular tissues responsible for transport; the epidermis and stomata are part of the dermal tissue system forming the outer protective surface; guard cells are specialized epidermal cells, and sclerenchyma is a supportive tissue that can be part of ground tissue but does not define the ground tissue system on its own.

Ground tissue fills the interior of plant organs and carries out storage, photosynthesis, and support. Cortex, pith, and endodermis are all regions composed of this tissue type, so together they represent the ground tissue system. The cortex sits between the epidermis and the vascular bundles in roots and stems, the pith is the central storage region in many stems, and the endodermis is the inner boundary layer surrounding the vascular cylinder—all derived from ground tissue.

In contrast, xylem and phloem are vascular tissues responsible for transport; the epidermis and stomata are part of the dermal tissue system forming the outer protective surface; guard cells are specialized epidermal cells, and sclerenchyma is a supportive tissue that can be part of ground tissue but does not define the ground tissue system on its own.