Question

A wood with scattered parenchyma is called as
A. Paratracheal
B. Apotracheal
C. Syntracheal
D. None of the above

Answer 1

The parenchyma contained in the sapwood consists of living tissue that serves as storage cells. Technically trachea means tube or pipe. The Greek prefix para means beside or near, apo which means away from or separate, syn means considered as together or united.

Complete answer: Wood is composed mostly of hollow, elongated, spindle-shaped cells, that are arranged parallel to each other along the trunk of a tree. The functions of these fibrous cells and their arrangement affect strength properties, appearance, resistance to penetration by water and chemicals, resistance to decay, and many other properties. There are a few different types of parenchyma cells seen in wood and they are classified into three groups depending on the distribution of parenchyma, these are namely, apotracheal is a type of wood parenchyma is in cells which are present in scattered form. For example gymnosperm. Apotracheal has parenchyma cells that occur and are separated from the pores. They can occur as single scattered cells, classified as diffuse parenchyma. The paratracheal wood in this parenchyma is arranged or distributed in the form of masses or groups for example dicot plants. The counterpart to apotracheal parenchyma is paratracheal parenchyma. Paratracheal parenchyma can occur as single cells bordering and it has a single pore called scanty parenchyma. The syntracheal wood in this wood parenchyma is collected or arranged around the vessels. An example is Terminalia arjuna.
Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Parenchyma is an important tissue in the secondary xylem of seed plants, with functions ranging from storage to defense against pathogens and with effects on the physical and mechanical properties of wood and transport of non-structural carbohydrates.