Difference between revisions of "Bark" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Image:Bark nunniong.jpg|thumb|250px|Eucalypt bark]] | [[Image:Bark nunniong.jpg|thumb|250px|Eucalypt bark]] | ||
[[Image:Pine bark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Monterey Pine]] bark]] | [[Image:Pine bark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Monterey Pine]] bark]] | ||
| − | '''Bark''' is the outermost layer of [[Plant stem|stems]] and [[root]]s of woody [[plant]]s such as [[tree]]s and [[shrub]]s. The [[tissue]]s included depend on how broadly the term is defined and the age of the plant (whether considering primary tissues or secondary growth). | + | '''Bark''' is the outermost layer of [[Plant stem|stems]] and [[root]]s of woody [[plant]]s, such as [[tree]]s and [[shrub]]s. The [[tissue]]s included depend on how broadly the term is defined and the age of the plant (whether considering primary tissues or secondary growth). Broadly defined, bark refers to all those tissues outside the vascular cambium, or all tissues from the living [[phloem]] outward. However, in popular use, the term bark is often used in reference to only the [[cork]] or only to the periderm (cork, cork cambium, and phellederm) in plants with secondary growth. Some definitions include the vascular cambium in the definition. |
The outer bark of dead cork cells gives the pattern seen in trees. uses... aesthetics | The outer bark of dead cork cells gives the pattern seen in trees. uses... aesthetics | ||
| − | |||
| + | ==Tissues included in bark== | ||
| − | + | For many [[plant]]s, the dividing point between bark and the rest of the organism usually is considered the vascular cambium. The vascular cambium is a part of a woody stem where cell division occurs. It contains undifferentiated cells that divide rapidly to produce secondary [[xylem]] to the inside and secondary [[phloem]] to the outside. The vascular cambium lies between these two layers. Vascular cambium is usually found on [[dicot]]s and [[gymnosperm]]s but not [[monocot]]s, which lack secondary growth. | |
| − | + | Along with the xylem, the phloem is one of the two tissues inside a plant that are involved with fluid transport. The phloem transports organic molecules (particularly [[carbohydrate|sugars]]) to wherever they are needed. Xylem is the primary water-conducting tissue. Xylem is not part of the bark, whereas phloem is included. | |
| − | Cork, sometimes confused with bark in colloquial speech, is the outermost layer of a woody stem, derived from the [[cork cambium]]. Cork is an external, secondary tissue impermeable to water and gases. It serves as protection against damage, [[parasite]]s, and [[disease]]s, as well as dehydration and extreme temperatures. | + | [[Cork]], sometimes confused with bark in colloquial speech, is the outermost layer of a woody stem, derived from the [[cork cambium]]. Cork is an external, secondary tissue impermeable to [[water]] and gases. It serves as protection against damage, [[parasite]]s, and [[disease]]s, as well as dehydration and extreme temperatures. Some cork is substantially thicker, providing further insulation and giving the bark a characteristic structure; in some cases thick enough to be harvestable as cork product without killing the tree. |
| − | Epidermis is the outer, single-layered group of cells | + | Epidermis is the outer, single-layered group of cells that covers the [[leaf]] and ''young'' tissues of a [[vascular plant]], including primary tissues of stems and roots. The epidermis serves several functions: protection against water loss, regulation of gas exchange, secretion of metabolic compounds, and (especially in roots) absorption of water and mineral nutrients. |
| − | In young stems of woody plants (trees, shrubs, and some perennial vines), the bark is made up of | + | In young stems of woody plants (trees, shrubs, and some perennial vines), the bark is made up of the following tissues arranged from the outside surface to the inside: |
* '''Cork''' - an external, secondary tissue impermeable to water and gases. | * '''Cork''' - an external, secondary tissue impermeable to water and gases. | ||
* '''Cork cambium''' - A layer of cells , normally one or two cell layers thick that is in a persistent meristematic state that produces cork. | * '''Cork cambium''' - A layer of cells , normally one or two cell layers thick that is in a persistent meristematic state that produces cork. | ||
| − | * ''' | + | * '''Phelloderm''' - (not always present) A layer of cells formed in some plants from the inner cells of the cork cambium (Cork is produced from the outer layer). |
| − | + | * '''Cortex''' - The primary tissue of stems and roots. In stems, the cortex is between the '''epidermis''' layer and the phloem, in roots the inner layer is not phloem but the [[pericycle]]. | |
| − | * '''Cortex''' - The primary tissue of stems and roots. In stems, the cortex is between the epidermis layer and the phloem, in roots the inner layer is not phloem but the [[pericycle]]. | ||
* '''Phloem''' - nutrient conducting tissue composed of sieve tub or sieve cells mixed with parenchym and fibers. | * '''Phloem''' - nutrient conducting tissue composed of sieve tub or sieve cells mixed with parenchym and fibers. | ||
| − | + | In primary tissues, the bark of stems (broadly defined) includes the phloem, cortex, and epidermis, and the bark of roots would be the cortex and epidermis. The cork cambium subsequently is responsible for secondary growth that replaces the epidermis in roots and stems. | |
| − | |||
| − | In primary tissues, the bark includes the phloem, cortex, and epidermis, and the bark of roots would be the cortex and epidermis. | ||
| − | In | + | [[Image:bark.jpg|thumb|200pix|left|Detail, bark of tree.]] |
| + | In roots with secondary growth, the cortex and epidermis may be sloughed off as cork is formed, and in these cases the bark includes the phloem, cork cambrium, cork, and phelloderm. | ||
| + | In old stems, the epidermal layer, cortex, and primary phloem become separated from the inner tissues by thicker formations of cork. Due to the thickening cork layer, these cells die because they do not receive water and nutrients. This dead layer is the rough corky bark that forms around tree trunks and other stems. In smaller stems and on typically non-woody plants, sometimes a secondary covering forms called the periderm, which is made up of cork cambian, cork, and phelloderm. It replaces the dermal layer and acts as a covering much like the corky bark, it too is made up of mostly dead tissue. The skin on the [[potato]] is a periderm. | ||
==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
| − | The bark of some | + | The bark of some [[tree]]s is edible. |
| − | Cork can contain [[antiseptic]]s like [[tannin]]s | + | Cork can contain [[antiseptic]]s like [[tannin]]s. |
| − | Among the commercial products made from bark are [[cork (material)|cork]], [[cinnamon]], [[quinine]] (from the bark of [[Cinchona]]) and [[aspirin]] (from the bark of [[willow]] trees). The bark of some trees notably oak (''Quercus robur'') is a source of tannic acid, which is used in [[tanning]]. | + | Among the commercial products made from bark are [[cork (material)|cork]], [[cinnamon]], [[quinine]] (from the bark of [[Cinchona]]) and [[aspirin]] (from the bark of [[willow]] trees). The bark of some trees, notably oak (''Quercus robur''), is a source of tannic acid, which is used in [[tanning]]. |
| − | + | [[Image:Pine_bark_tecpan_guatemala.JPG|thumb|200pix|right|Bark of a Pine tree in Tecpan, Guatemala.]] | |
| − | [[Image:Pine_bark_tecpan_guatemala.JPG|thumb|200pix| | ||
| − | {{credit|118422017}} | + | {{credit|Bark|118422017|Cork_cambium|115365317|Vascular_cambium|126907586}} |
[[Category:Life sciences]] | [[Category:Life sciences]] | ||
Revision as of 01:55, 2 May 2007
Bark is the outermost layer of stems and roots of woody plants, such as trees and shrubs. The tissues included depend on how broadly the term is defined and the age of the plant (whether considering primary tissues or secondary growth). Broadly defined, bark refers to all those tissues outside the vascular cambium, or all tissues from the living phloem outward. However, in popular use, the term bark is often used in reference to only the cork or only to the periderm (cork, cork cambium, and phellederm) in plants with secondary growth. Some definitions include the vascular cambium in the definition.
The outer bark of dead cork cells gives the pattern seen in trees. uses... aesthetics
Tissues included in bark
For many plants, the dividing point between bark and the rest of the organism usually is considered the vascular cambium. The vascular cambium is a part of a woody stem where cell division occurs. It contains undifferentiated cells that divide rapidly to produce secondary xylem to the inside and secondary phloem to the outside. The vascular cambium lies between these two layers. Vascular cambium is usually found on dicots and gymnosperms but not monocots, which lack secondary growth.
Along with the xylem, the phloem is one of the two tissues inside a plant that are involved with fluid transport. The phloem transports organic molecules (particularly sugars) to wherever they are needed. Xylem is the primary water-conducting tissue. Xylem is not part of the bark, whereas phloem is included.
Cork, sometimes confused with bark in colloquial speech, is the outermost layer of a woody stem, derived from the cork cambium. Cork is an external, secondary tissue impermeable to water and gases. It serves as protection against damage, parasites, and diseases, as well as dehydration and extreme temperatures. Some cork is substantially thicker, providing further insulation and giving the bark a characteristic structure; in some cases thick enough to be harvestable as cork product without killing the tree.
Epidermis is the outer, single-layered group of cells that covers the leaf and young tissues of a vascular plant, including primary tissues of stems and roots. The epidermis serves several functions: protection against water loss, regulation of gas exchange, secretion of metabolic compounds, and (especially in roots) absorption of water and mineral nutrients.
In young stems of woody plants (trees, shrubs, and some perennial vines), the bark is made up of the following tissues arranged from the outside surface to the inside:
- Cork - an external, secondary tissue impermeable to water and gases.
- Cork cambium - A layer of cells , normally one or two cell layers thick that is in a persistent meristematic state that produces cork.
- Phelloderm - (not always present) A layer of cells formed in some plants from the inner cells of the cork cambium (Cork is produced from the outer layer).
- Cortex - The primary tissue of stems and roots. In stems, the cortex is between the epidermis layer and the phloem, in roots the inner layer is not phloem but the pericycle.
- Phloem - nutrient conducting tissue composed of sieve tub or sieve cells mixed with parenchym and fibers.
In primary tissues, the bark of stems (broadly defined) includes the phloem, cortex, and epidermis, and the bark of roots would be the cortex and epidermis. The cork cambium subsequently is responsible for secondary growth that replaces the epidermis in roots and stems.
In roots with secondary growth, the cortex and epidermis may be sloughed off as cork is formed, and in these cases the bark includes the phloem, cork cambrium, cork, and phelloderm.
In old stems, the epidermal layer, cortex, and primary phloem become separated from the inner tissues by thicker formations of cork. Due to the thickening cork layer, these cells die because they do not receive water and nutrients. This dead layer is the rough corky bark that forms around tree trunks and other stems. In smaller stems and on typically non-woody plants, sometimes a secondary covering forms called the periderm, which is made up of cork cambian, cork, and phelloderm. It replaces the dermal layer and acts as a covering much like the corky bark, it too is made up of mostly dead tissue. The skin on the potato is a periderm.
Uses
The bark of some trees is edible.
Cork can contain antiseptics like tannins.
Among the commercial products made from bark are cork, cinnamon, quinine (from the bark of Cinchona) and aspirin (from the bark of willow trees). The bark of some trees, notably oak (Quercus robur), is a source of tannic acid, which is used in tanning.
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