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EPIDERMIS and Stomata

The epidermis is the outermost layer of cells in plants, found on stems, roots, leaves, flowers, and fruits, typically consisting of a single layer but can be multilayered in some species. Its primary functions include preventing transpiration, protecting plant parts, and facilitating gas exchange through stomata, which are regulated by guard cells. Additionally, the epidermis contains various structures such as trichomes and cuticles that serve different purposes, including secretion and support.

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12 views5 pages

EPIDERMIS and Stomata

The epidermis is the outermost layer of cells in plants, found on stems, roots, leaves, flowers, and fruits, typically consisting of a single layer but can be multilayered in some species. Its primary functions include preventing transpiration, protecting plant parts, and facilitating gas exchange through stomata, which are regulated by guard cells. Additionally, the epidermis contains various structures such as trichomes and cuticles that serve different purposes, including secretion and support.

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faadilhan5
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EPIDERMIS

EPIDERMIS
Epidermis forms the outermost layer of cells on the primary plant
body. It is present over stem. roots, leaves, flowers and fruits. In
most plant. epidermis is composed of single layer of cells. But two
or several layers are also found in different plants ( e.g. Ficus
elastica and Narium oleander). When it is composed of single
layer, it is called hypodermis. When it is composed of many layers.
it is called multiseriate epidermis. The root epidermis is called
rhizodermis or epiblema. The main function of epidermis is to
check the transpiration. It also protects the plant parts. It also has
stomata for gaseous exchange.
Cell structure in epidermis
Epidermis is composed of single layer of cells. These cells are
tubular. They have different shapes. Their shape may be
isodiametric, elongated or rectangular. The epidermal cells are
compactly arranged. The epidermal cells are highly vacuolated.
Some leucoplasts are also present in it. Chloroplasts are absent in
epidermis except guard cells. The epIdermal cells contain many
mitochondria, dictyosomes and ER. The cell sap of epidermal cells
of many flowers contains pigments called anthocynins. The outer
walls of the epidermal cells become thick by the development of
secondary wall. The outer walls have remnants of plasmodesmata
called ectodesmata. Ectodesmata allow the passage of certain
substances that are discharged through the cuticle. The redial and
inner tangential walls of epidermal cells are thin and possess
plasmodesmata.
Wall of epidermal cells
The wall of epidermal cells bear cuticle. A thin layer of cutin on the
epidermal cells is called cuticle. Cutin is deposited on the outer
walls of

epidermal cells in aerial parts. Cutin is absent in underground


parts. The protoplasts of the epidermal cells secrete cutin, it
makes the wall of epidermal cells impermeable. It checks the
transpiration. It also provides some support to cell. Sometimes
waxes are also deposited in the cutinized wall. It makes the
surface totally impermeable. Calcium salts and silica are also
deposited in the walls of some plants. They make the plant
surface rough. Epidermal cells form different structures in seeds
and fruits. They form hard shells in seed coats. In some cases, it
forms mucilaginous layer for attachment.
In some cases, it develops hairs for dispersal.
Trichomes
Trichomes are different types of appendages. Trichomes are
commonly present on the surface of epidermis. They are present
in the thrm of hairs, papillae and water absorbing roots, triehomes
occur in all parts of the plant. Triehomes are often used as
taxonomic character. The triehomes may be unicellular or
multicellular. They may be glandular or nor-glandular. The scales
or hairs may be peltate, tufted, stellate or branched. Hairs of the
cotton seeds are unicellular.

1. Non-glandular trichomes: ‘FMy are simple hairs like. These hairs


may be unicellular or multicellular. Such hairs are found in cotton.
2. Glandular trichomes: Glandular trichomes are called glands.
They secrete different types of compounds. These compounds
may be nectar (sugar solution), salt solution, gums. waxes etc. All
glandular trichomes have endodermal cells below the secretory
cells. Endodennal cells prevent the backflow of secretion.
There are different types of glandular trichomes:
Salt secreting trichomes: Examples: Atriplex. Cicer
Mucilaginous secreting glands: Examples: Rheum •
Nectar secretory glands: Example: rose
Glandular trichomes in carnivorous plants: Example: Drosera
Ticky substance secreting trichomes: Example: onion
STOMATA
Stomata are small microscopic pores in epidermal layer of shoot.
Each stoma is bound by a pair of guard cells. These guard cells are
bean or dumbbell shaped. The guard cells are rich in chloroplast
and starch grain. Stomatal aperture is simply a space between the
two guard cells. The stomatal aperture, guard cells and subsidiary
cells form the stomatal apparatus. The guard cells are produced
by the vertical division of a single stomatal mother cell. The
variation in turgidity in the wall of guard cells cause opening and
closing of stomata.
Exchange of gases takes place through stomata. When the walls
of guard cells are fully turgid, the stomata open. When the walls of
guard cells deflated, the stomata close.
In certain cases, the guard cells have one or more subsidiary cells.
Each type of plant has characteristic number of subsidiary cells.
Subsidiary cells are distinct from other epidermal cells. There are
four main types of stomata:
Anomocytic stomata: In this case, the guard cells are surrounded
by 5 or more cells. These cells have similar shapes. Example:
buttercup.
Anisocytic stomata: In this case, the guard cells are surrounded by
three subsidiary cells. These cells have different sizes. Example:
potato.
Paracytic stomata: In this case each guard cell is surrounded by
one or two cells. The longitudinal axis of these cells is parallel to
the guard cells and apertures. Example: onion
Diacytic stomata: In this case each guard is surrounded by two
subsidiary cells. The common wall of these cells is at right angles
to the longitudinal axis.

Figure; types of stomata

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