The main component - Suberin, a mixture of organic aminoacids that coat the walls of the cork cells, prevents the passage of water and of gases. the properties of Suberin are notable: it is pratically infusible and is insoluble in water, alcohol, ether, chloroform, concentrated sulphuric acid, hydrochlori acid, etc.
... a cubic centimetre of cork contains 40 million cells?
The cells are grouped in a characteristic alveolar structure defining cork's format. A cubic centimetre of cork contains nearly 40 million cells, arranged in rows perpendicular to the cork oak trunk.
Each cell is shaped like a tiny pentagonal or hexagonal prism, the height of wich is no more than 40 to 50 micrometres ( = thousandths of a millimetre). |
