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Multiple Choice
A vandal killed a historic oak tree on the village green by girdling it with a chain saw. He cut through the bark and into the sapwood all the way around the tree. Why did the tree die?
A
The leaves could not get carbon dioxide.
B
Oxygen could not get to the roots.
C
The leaves could not get food.
D
The roots could not absorb water.
E
The roots could not get food.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of a tree: A tree consists of several layers, including the bark, cambium, sapwood, and heartwood. The bark protects the tree, while the cambium is a layer of actively dividing cells that produce new phloem and xylem cells.
Recognize the function of the phloem: The phloem is responsible for transporting nutrients, particularly the sugars produced during photosynthesis in the leaves, to other parts of the tree, including the roots.
Identify the impact of girdling: Girdling involves cutting through the bark and into the sapwood, which disrupts the phloem. This prevents the transport of nutrients from the leaves to the roots.
Consider the consequences for the roots: Without the supply of nutrients from the leaves, the roots cannot sustain themselves, leading to their eventual death.
Conclude why the tree died: Since the roots could not receive food due to the disruption of the phloem, they could not function properly, ultimately causing the entire tree to die.