Secondary Growth · Botany

As secondary growth proceeds, what happens to the primary phloem in a dicot stem?

It remains functional in the center
It is pushed outward and eventually crushed
It transforms into wood
It becomes part of the newly formed vascular cambium ring

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: It is pushed outward and eventually crushed

The continuous addition of secondary xylem and phloem by the cambium exerts outward pressure. This causes the older, outermost primary phloem and cortex to be compressed and eventually sloughed off.

Difficulty: Medium Question 9 of 20

Practice all 20 Secondary Growth questions

As secondary growth proceeds, what happens to the primary phloem in a dicot stem?

More Secondary Growth questions