NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Secondary growth in the dicot stem involves the formation and functioning of the vascular cambium and cork cambium. Secondary growth provides the plants or trees with protection against mechanical stress and microbial activity. Secondary growth increases the girth of the stem.

Detailed explanation-2: -The vascular cambium and cork cambium are secondary meristems that are formed in stems and roots after the tissues of the primary plant body have differentiated.

Detailed explanation-3: -This particular type of dicot stem is composed of a cork, cork cambium, epidermis, cortex, xylem, phloem, vascular cambium, and a pith. The vascular cambium is a key characteristic in identifying woody dicots. It is responsible for the making and separation of both xylem and phloem.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cork cambium is the lateral meristem that is accountable for secondary growth substituting the epidermis in the roots and stems. Secondary growth refers to an increase in the girth of a plant which is initiated by cell divisions in the lateral meristems.

Detailed explanation-5: -So, the correct option is ‘Dedifferentiated collenchyma cells of cortex’.