Medullary Rays in Dicot Stems — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2021In between the vascular bundles there are a few layers of radially placed parenchymatous cells, which constitute medullary rays. A large number of vascular bundles are arranged in a ring; the 'ring' arrangement of vascular bundles is a characteristic of dicot stem. Each vascular bundle is conjoint, open, and with endarch protoxylem. A large number of rounded, parenchymatous cells with large intercellular spaces which occupy the central portion of the stem constitute the pith.
Medullary rays are radially arranged parenchymatous cells that lie between vascular bundles in dicot stems, extending from the pith toward the cortex. NTA tests this because students often confuse medullary rays with other tissues like phloem rays or mistake their function. The key trap: thinking medullary rays are the same in monocots—they're actually a characteristic feature of dicots only. Remember that medullary rays provide lateral transport of nutrients and water, and their radial arrangement is diagnostic of dicot anatomy. When identifying dicot cross-sections, spot the ring arrangement of vascular bundles first, then identify the parenchymatous rays filling the spaces between them.
Select the correct pair. [NEET 2021
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