Cortex Structure in Dicot Stems — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2016Cortex is the region found between: (NEET 2016)
Cortex is the region found between: (NEET 2016)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — Epidermis and stele
Cortex is the region between epidermis (outermost layer) and stele (central vascular cylinder). It consists of parenchymatous cells for storage. Endodermis is the innermost layer of cortex, while pericycle is outermost layer of stele. NCERT defines cortex position clearly.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Covered with a thin layer of cuticle, it may bear trichomes and a few stomata. The cells arranged in multiple layers between epidermis and pericycle constitute the cortex. It consists of three sub-zones. The outer hypodermis, consists of a few layers of collenchymatous cells just below the epidermis, which provide mechanical strength to the young stem. Cortical layers below hypodermis consist of rounded thin walled parenchymatous cells with conspicuous intercellular spaces. The innermost layer of the cortex is called the endodermis. The cells of the endodermis are rich in starch grains and the layer is also referred to as the starch sheath. Pericycle is
NTA tests the layered organization of cortex in dicot stems, specifically its three sub-zones: hypodermis (collenchyma for strength), middle cortex (thin-walled parenchyma with intercellular spaces), and endodermis (starch sheath). Students often confuse the cortex boundaries or mix up the functions of each layer—many forget that the endodermis is technically the innermost cortex layer, not separate from it. Key to remember: cortex lies entirely between epidermis and pericycle; hypodermis provides mechanical support while endodermis stores starch. This concept appears frequently because understanding stem anatomy requires distinguishing tissue organization, a fundamental NEET expectation for plant structure questions.
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Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.