Epidermal Tissue System

What Is The Epidermal Tissue System?

The epidermal tissue system is defined as the shell of living membrane cells in pants that provide a protective barrier around the interior cells. In other words, it supports the living unit of the plant cells, and dead cells do not have any space to occupy at maturity. The epidermal tissue system supports the life continuity of the plant cells, where dead cells have no space to be present at maturity. It ensures that the plant maintains homeostasis through the regulation of water loss and gas exchange.

Structure Of The Epidermal Tissue

• The epidermal tissue system extends to all parts of the plant body—leaves, stems, and roots—as a layer of a single, closely packed layer of cells.

• In general, cells in the epidermis are relatively flat, elongated in the lateral direction and connected in the lower direction.

• However, in the ternate plant species, the cell thickness varies according to the plant species and environmental conditions.

• Often, such plants have specialised skin organs, such as trichomes, stomata, and so on.

Functions Of Epidermal Tissues

The epidermal tissue system has a few functions which include acting as a protective layer for the plant tissue.

• It provides the body surface cover to the plant against attacks by pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stresses including UV light, and extreme temperatures.

• Transpiration Regulation: The epidermis tissues here help in the regulation of water loss. It covers its whole coast with a waxy covering on its surface to create a shield against transpiration. It creates a shield against evaporation and loss of water.

• Gas Exchange: The stomata present on the epidermis allow for an exchange of gases, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide, which is very important in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

• Absorption: The epidermis of the root may have hairs that aid in the absorption of more water and other nutrients from the soil.

Stomata

• Stomata are minute pores found on the epidermal surface of leaves and stems.

• Each stoma is surrounded by a pair of guard cells which control the opening and closing of stomata.

• It is this control that is so important in maintaining the water balance of the plant and affecting enough exchange of gases for photosynthesis.

Functions Of Trichomes

Trichomes are specialised hairs of the epidermis of some plants, and their functions are as follows:

• Protection: Trichomes might deter herbivores by producing irritating or noxious substances.

• Regulate Temperature: They help reflect sunlight in lowering leaf temperatures and therefore enhancing water loss.

• Water Holding Ability: They might trap the water vapour from the air and keep it adding to the moisture of the plant.

Importance Of Cuticle

• The cuticle refers to the waxy cover of the plant epidermis.

• The main function of the cuticle is to minimise water loss primarily through the formation of a physical restriction that curtails evaporation.

• In many plant species, the thickness and makeup of the epidermis cuticle are related to specific environmental adaptations.

Epidermal Tissue In Roots

• For the nutrition and water intake of the plant, the root system of the epidermal tissue is important.

• Here, the scale of absorption increases manifold owing to having the epidermal cell extensions as root hair that greatly increases the available surface area for absorption and hence uptake of much water and nutrients.

• The epidermal tissue system gives room for plants to fit into different environmental conditions.

• For example, plants in arid environments will have a thicker cuticle, with a case of more trichomes, to minimise water loss.

• Conversely, plants in a humid environment are likely to have fewer alterations in water retention strategies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the epidermal tissue system is most important in protecting the plant from the external derma; with controlled physiological activities, its integral structure and functioning-like adaptations are most vital to maintain homeostasis, which allows plants to thrive in different types of environmental niches. The study of the epidermal tissue system improves our level of perception in plant biology concerning the adaptations that occur to ensure plant survival.

Recommended video on Epidermal Tissue System