Question

Describe the different structures observed in the epidermis of plant

Answer 1

The epidermis (from the Greek ἐπιδερμίς, meaning "over-skin") is a single layer of cells that covers the leaves, flowers, roots and stems of plants. It forms a boundary between the plant and the external environment. The epidermis serves several functions: it protects against water loss, regulates gas exchange, secretes metabolic compounds, and (especially in roots) absorbs water and mineral nutrients. The epidermis of most leaves shows dorsoventral anatomy: the upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) surfaces have somewhat different construction and may serve different functions. Woody stems and some other stem structures produce a secondary covering called the periderm that replaces the epidermis as the protective covering.

Answer 2

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• Epidermis is the outer covering of the plants.
• These tissues plays various roles such as, protects the loss of water from the leaf surface, regulates the exchange of gases through the stomata.
• It also protect the plants from the damage cause by the external environment.
• For example, In case of human beings a layer of skin is present which protects us from various factors, similarly in case of plants a skin (known as epidermis) is present.
• Normally it is single layered cell tissue. Sometimes it may be multi layered.
• These cells are living. They have protoplasm around the large central vacuole.
• These cells show different shapes and sizes such as barrel , rectangular , elongated also fibre like.
• The cells form a continuous layer with or without gaps in between them.
• These cells are unevenly thick. Outer walls are thicker than inner walls and side walls.