The HEARTWOOD of a tree is:
ADead, dark, central wood that gives mechanical support
BLiving wood that conducts water and minerals
CThe outermost thin layer of the bark
DThe actively dividing layer of cells (cambium)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Dead, dark, central wood that gives mechanical support
HEARTWOOD = older, central, DEAD, darker wood. It provides MECHANICAL SUPPORT but doesn't conduct water. SAPWOOD (outer, lighter, alive) is the functional water-conducting xylem. Heartwood is impregnated with resins, less prone to decay.
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