What tissue in plants provides support to the stems?

The correct answer is pith, which is the central part of a plant stem and provides structural support. In many plants, pith contains loosely packed parenchyma cells that can store nutrients and water, which contributes to the overall stability and strength of the stem. The arrangement of tissues, including pith, allows plants to maintain their structure while growing taller and heavier.

While other tissues like phloem and xylem play essential roles in transporting nutrients and water through the plant, they do not primarily serve the structural support function in the same way as pith. Phloem is mainly responsible for transporting sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves, while xylem carries water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. Cambium, on the other hand, is a layer of actively dividing cells that contributes to the growth in thickness of stems and roots, but it is not primarily involved in providing support.

Understanding the functions of these different tissues helps clarify why pith is identified as the tissue that provides support specifically in the context of plant stems.