Trunk (botany)

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/trunk-botany

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the structural composition?Primarily lignin and cellulose, providing mechanical strength
2. What is the vascular tissues?Xylem for water/mineral transport upwards; Phloem for sugar transport bidirectionally
3. What is a tree trunk?A tree trunk, also called the bole, is the main woody stem that holds the tree up and connects the roots to the leaves.
4. How does a tree trunk help a tree drink water?Inside the trunk are xylem tubes that carry water and minerals from the roots straight up to the leaves, like a giant straw.

Lignin: A complex polymer that strengthens plant cell walls, contributing to wood's rigidity.
Secondary Xylem: Wood tissue produced by the vascular cambium, responsible for secondary growth in diameter.
Lenticels: Porous areas in the bark of woody stems that allow for gas exchange with the atmosphere.