Question

1. As we know that the leaves of plants are waterproof due to cuticle. On the same way, take some pieces of paper of leaf size and make them waterproof. After completion, put half of these paper pieces in cold water and half in hot water. Do all the pieces of paper remains waterproof? Explain your observations and results with justifications.

Answer 1

Answer:

• A protective layer known as a plant cuticle protects the epidermis of leaves, new shoots, and other aerial plant structures lacking periderm.
• It is a water-resistant protective coating of wax and Cutin that covers the plant's outermost surfaces.
• The cuticle is widely released by the epidermis and aids in the prevention of water loss and parasitic infection.
• In plants, the cuticle's main job is to act as a permeability barrier to stop water from evaporating from the outer epidermal surface.
• Additionally, it stops the entry of solutes and water molecules from the outside environment.
• In addition to serving as a water permeability barrier for plants, the cuticle's micro and nanostructures also aid to keep dirt, outside water, and bacteria from contaminating the tissues.
• But under extreme temperatures, these cuticles become destroyed.
• In light of the fact that hot water damages the cuticles, paper pieces submerged in hot water do not remain waterproof. However, since cold water does not harm the cuticles, leaves submerged in it retain their waterproofing properties.

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