Identify the incorrect statement.
- Sapwood is involved in conduction of water and minerals from root to leaf
- Sapwood is the innermost secondary xylem and is lighter in colour
- Due to deposition of tannins, resins, oils etc., heart wood is dark in colour
- Heart wood does not conduct water but gives mechanical support
Answer
(2) Sapwood is the innermost secondary xylem and is lighter in colour
Solution
As per NCERT, in old trees the greater part of secondary xylem is dark brown due to deposition of organic compounds like tannins, resins, oils, gums, aromatic substances and essential oils in the central or innermost layers of the stem; this is heartwood. It does not conduct water but gives mechanical support to the stem.
The peripheral region of the secondary xylem is lighter in colour and is known as sapwood; it conducts water and minerals from root to leaf.
Sapwood is the outermost (peripheral), not the innermost, secondary xylem. Statement (2) is incorrect.
Answer: (2)