What is formed from the outer layer of dead cork cells?

The outer layer of dead cork cells forms the outer bark of a tree. This cork tissue is produced by the cambium, a meristematic tissue that generates new cells in plants. As these cork cells mature, they become dead and fill with suberin, a waxy substance that helps protect the plant from moisture loss, pathogens, and physical damage. Consequently, the outer bark serves as a protective barrier for the tree, playing a crucial role in its overall health and survival.

Inner bark, in contrast, consists of living phloem cells responsible for transporting nutrients. Annual rings are growth rings that represent a layer of new wood formed each year and reflect the growth patterns of the tree. A rhizome is an underground stem that can generate new shoots and roots; it is not related to the formation of bark tissue. Thus, the formation of the outer bark directly results from the accumulation of dead cork cells.