Which tissue makes up the husk of coconut?
The Husk of Coconut
The husk of a coconut is the outermost layer that surrounds the coconut seed. It is a tough, fibrous covering that protects the inner parts of the coconut. The husk is made up of several layers of tissues that provide strength and protection to the coconut.
1. Exocarp:
The outermost layer of the coconut husk is called the exocarp. It is the thickest layer and is typically green or brown in color. The exocarp is made up of tough, fibrous material that helps to shield the coconut from external damage and harsh weather conditions.
2. Mesocarp:
Beneath the exocarp lies the mesocarp, which is the middle layer of the husk. The mesocarp is composed of a network of fibers that are densely packed together. These fibers provide additional strength to the husk, making it durable and resistant to impact.
3. Endocarp:
The innermost layer of the coconut husk is called the endocarp. It is a hard, woody shell that directly encases the coconut seed. The endocarp is responsible for protecting the seed from mechanical damage and microbial attacks.
4. Coir:
The term "coir" is often used to refer to the fibrous material that is derived from the husk of coconuts. Coir is obtained by processing the husk and separating the fibers. These fibers are then used for various purposes such as making ropes, mats, and agricultural products. Coir is known for its strength, moisture retention capabilities, and resistance to decay.
Importance of the Husk:
The husk of the coconut plays a crucial role in protecting the coconut seed from external threats. Its tough and fibrous nature acts as a barrier against physical damage, moisture loss, and microbial attacks. Additionally, the husk provides insulation to the internal parts of the coconut, helping to maintain a stable internal environment.
Conclusion:
The husk of a coconut is a multilayered structure consisting of the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. It serves as a protective covering for the coconut seed, shielding it from external hazards. The fibrous material derived from the husk, known as coir, is widely used for various applications due to its strength and durability.
Which tissue makes up the husk of coconut?
To answer this question, at first, we have to know the composition of the coconut husk. The husk of the coconut is composed of sclerenchymatous tissue. It is found in the mesocarp of coconut and yields a coir known as the fibre used for making different things like mats, ropes, cords e.t.c. Sclerenchymatous tissue is found in stems( around the vascular bundle) , roots, a vein of leaves, tough coverings of seeds. These tissues are taken as thick-walled, lignified, supportive tissue characterized by the absence of living protoplast. It is referred to as supportive tissues of a plant. They are recognised to have extremely thick cell walls and do not participate in many of the different activities of the developing plant. The characteristic of sclerenchymatous tissue is specifically mechanical & protective. This tissue provides strength, rigidity, flexibility of the plant body.
Additional Information:
Sclerenchyma tissue, whilst mature, consists of dead cells which have heavily thickened walls containing lignin and excessive cellulose content (60%-80%), and serves the characteristic of providing structural support in plants. Sclerenchyma cells possess' two kinds of cell walls, such as primary and secondary walls
Note: The tissues which are specialized to secrete products are known as special tissues. These secreted substances may be useful or might not be useful to plants.