EPIDERMAL TISSUE SYSTEM 1

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1 Tissue systems and their functions:

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1.1 Epidermal Tissue System
1.2 Secretary Tissue System
1.3 Mechanical Tissue System

Definition:
A group of tissues performing a common function irrespective/ regardless (different) of their
position and origin is called as epidermal tissue system.
Epidermal tissue system is also known as, ‘dermal tissue system’. It is made up of
1. Epidermis
2. Cuticle
3. Stomata
4. Trichomes
1. Epidermis: This word is derived from Greek word epi- upon, derma-
skin. Epidermis consists of single layer of cells covering all organs of plant
body, like stem, root, flower, leaf, fruit and seeds. It is continues layer except
small pores called stomata and lenticels.
According to histogen theory it is derived from dermatogen or proderm or from apical meristem.
Multiple Epidermis –

Epidermis with many layers is called as

multiple epidermis. Many layered epidermis is
found in the leaves of plants like Opuntia, Ficus,
and Nerium. It is made up of 3-5 layers of cells. In
Ficus species multilayered epidermis prevents
heating of the mesophyll cells below and helps to
reduce transpiration.

2. Cuticle:
It is a layer of waxy substance known as cutin, on the outer wall of the epidermis. It is present on
the epidermis of all aerial parts of plant body. Cutin
layer means closely applied to the outer wall forming
a continuous layer. It is probably secreted is liquid
from by the epidermal cells and reaching outer wall,
which becomes tough and hard. The cuticle is
impermeable to water.

Function –
Prevent loss of water from inner cells. The cuticle is very thin in shady plants and those growing
in moist plants. In xerophytes the cuticle is thick. In some leaves there is a coating of oil an epidermis
e.g.Nymphea. It prevents welting of leaf.

3. Stomata:
The stomata are minute pore which occur in the epidermis of plant. They are found on all aerial
parts and are absent in roots. Stomata are made up of two guard cells, having an opening between them
known as stomatal aperture. Generally the term stomata is applied to the stomatal opening and guard
Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.
(1) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
 cells. There is a respiratory cavity below
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the stomata which allows gaseous
exchange. The guard cells are living and
contain chloroplast. Usually in the leaves
of dicotyledons stomata are scattered where
as the leaves of monocotyledons the
stomata are in parallel rows, from this we
an identify monocot and dicot plants.
Number of stomata varies from few
thousands to 100’s of thousand per square
cm or cm2. Stomata occur on both upper
and lower surface of leaf. But mostly they
are found on lower surface. Stomata remain
closed in night and it remain open during
day time.

Types of Stomata:
The stomata are classified into 5 types on the basis of their
morphology.
a. Ranunculous/Anomocytic type – (Anomocytic – regular celled)
Here stomata is surrounded by a limited number of subsidiary
cells which are quite alike the remaining epidermal cells. The subsidiary cells are five in
number.

b. Cruciferous/ Anisocytic type – (Anisocytic- unequal celled)

Stomata is surrounded by there accessory cells of which one is
distinctly smaller than the other two. e.g. Petunia.

c.Rubiaceous/Paracytic type – (paracytic-parallel

celled)
In this type stomata is usually surrounded
by two subsidiary or accessory cells which are
parallel to the long axis of the pore and guard cells.
E.g. Phaseolus.

Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.

(2) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
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d. Caryophyllaceous/Diacytic type- (Diacytic- cross celled)

Stomata is surrounded by a pair of subsidiary cells whose common
wall is at right angles to the guard cells.

e. Graminaceous type –
This type of stomata is found in monocots like family Graminae.
In this type of stomata guard cells are dumbbell shaped e.g.
Cyperaceae, Graminae.

Trichomes
Functions:
1. They help in exchange of gases between the plant and atmosphere.
2. Evaporation of water also takes place through stomata.
Unicellular Multicellular
Trichomes:

Branched Unbranched Uniseriate Multiseriate Branched

Branched Branched (in

(Tree like one plane
dendroid stellate

Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.

(3) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
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In plants there are present various types of simple and complex hairs as
follows.
i. Stinging hairs.
ii. Mucilage hair.
iii. Non-glandular hairs
iv. Glandular shaggy hairs
v. Stellate hairs
vi. Cup shaped peltate hair
vii. Uniseriate hairs

i. Stinging Hairs –
These are most interesting type of hairs. It consists poisonous liquid/acidic
sap in the basal bulb like structure from which cylinder of pointed structure is given out. The tip
of such pointed needle like structure penetrates into the body of animal. When animal come in
contact with such hairs the acidic sap secreted by the gland is injected into the skin of animal and
causes irritation.

ii. Glandular Hairs –

Many plants possess glandular hairs. These hairs may secrete oil, resin, mucilage, poisonous
acidic substances. Typical glandular hair posses stalk and elongated terminal portion which may
be referred as gland. They may be uniseriate or multiseriate.

iii. Scales/Peltate Hairs-

It is common type of trichome (shield like). The scale consists of disc shaped plates or cells.
Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.
(4) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
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Development of Trichomes/Hairs-
Trichomes are nothing but the protuberances or outgrowths of epidermal cells. These
protuberances or outgrowths elongates and develops into multicellular structure.

Trichomes and Taxonomy –

On the basis of different types of Trichomes, we can classify different genera and species of
plants.

Functions of Trichomes –
Generally dense covering of Trichomes controls the rate of transpiration. They also reduce the
heating effect of sunlight. They protect the plant body from outer injuries, agencies like insects and
animal. Glandular hair performs secretary and excretory functions.

Secretary Tissue System

The tissue which secretes gum, resins, volatile oils, nectar, latex and other substances are called
as secretary tissue system. Secretary
These tissues are further subdivided into two groups as follows.
1. Laticiferous tissue
Tissue
2. Glandular tissue.
Laticiferous Glandu
Secretary Tissue System tissue sy. tissue

Non- Articulated Internal

articulated tissue sy. tissue sy.

1. Laticiferous Tissue System –

It is made up of long branched or unbranched tubes or cells called the latex tubes or latex cells.
They contain a colourless, milky or coloured fluid called the latex. The latex contains stored organic
materials in the form of starch grains, alkaloids, tannins, enzymes, proteins, mucilage, rubber etc. The
Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.
(5) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
latex producing plants are mainly xerophytes. e.g. Nerium, Euphorbia, Calatropis, Argemone. It is(M)
61of
two types.
a. Latex Cells/Non-articulated Latex Ducts –

They are single cells that elongate and become tube like. The nuclei in the cells divide
but are not separated by transverse walls. So these cells become multinucleate or Coenocytic.
These cells may be branched or unbranched. They never form a network. The cells are full of
latex e.g. Nerium, Euphorbia, Ficus, Cannabis etc.
b. Latex Vessels or Articulated Latex Ducts –

The transverse
walls of cells placed
one above the oher
i n a single row get
dissolved to from a
long vessel or a
tube. This is called a latex vessel. It is full of latex. Adjoining latex tubes become interconnected
by transverse or oblique rows of cells whose end walls also dissolve to form a latex tube that
connects two longitudinally running vessels. These vessels may also become branched at a later
stage. They are also called syncyts. e.g.
Argemone, Achrus, Havea,
Banana etc.

2. Glandular Tissue System:

Glandular tissue includes
groups of cells or tissues
concerned with secretion or
excretion form the plant body.
These tissues mainly
consist of glands. These
are various types of glands such as digestive
glands which secrete digestive enzymes, nectar
is secreted by nectarines. The glands are of two
types.
A. External Glands
B. Internal Glands.
A. External Glands – They occur as
glandular outgrowths on the epidermis of
stems, leaves, fruits and flower. They are
again of three types.
i. Glandular Hair –

Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.

(6) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
 These are multicellular hair that grow from epidermal cells and secrete (M)
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products that may be mucilage (Nymphea), oil (Geranium) and poisonous acidic substances
(Utrica). These hairs have a multicellular stalk and a globular head which secretes the
products.
ii. Nectaries or Nectar Secreting Glands –

Nectaries are special structure that secrete nectar and

are present on various organs of lower e.g. petal
(Ranunculaceae), in the form of a disc below the
ovary (Rutaceae) at
the base of stamens
(Brassica). They are
also present on the leaves.

iii. Digestive Glands –

In certain insectivorous plants there are

digestive glands which secrete a protein, digestive
enzymes. These enzymes acts upon insect body and
entire body of insect is broken down for absorption of
the plant.

B.. Internal Glands –

There are many plants that possess glands embedded
in the various tissues of roots, stems, leaves, flowers
and fruits.
a. Resin duct - In Sunflower and Pinus there are resin ducts. In sunflwoer stem resin
canals are found in the cortex. In Pinus the resin ducts are also found in the cortex, the

Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.

(7) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
secondary xylem of the stem and mesophyll of the leaf. The resin ducts are fromed schizo-genously (M)
and
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having a lining of peripheral layers of parenchyma cells wit hdense protoplast which excrete resin.

b. Oil ducts- The plants belonging to the families Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Rutaceae possess
oil ducts in the stem. the leave of Eucalyptus have oil ducts that secrete aromatic oils. the leaves and
petals of Rutaceae also possess oil ducts.
The characteristic oil glands present on the rind of citrus, lemon and organe fruits and in the
leaves of Eucalyptus are formed lysigenously. The cavities remain filled up wit hessential oils due to
disorganization of tissue. Oil ducts are spherical in shape and has a peripheral layer of thin walled and
living secretory cells that secrete oil into a central cavity.

Hydathodes –
These are also called water stomata through which water exudes in the form of drops. They are
found in the leaves of herbaceous angiosperms that generally grow in humid places. Hydathode occurs
at the tips of leaves of some grasses or along the margins. The opening is called as water pores or water
stomata, which differ from ordinary air stomata in their position at the ends of the veins, and is always
remains open and their large size. Hydathodes have and aperture guarded by guard cells. Below the
aperture is an air cavity, below which is loose tissue called epithem. Under beneath epithem there are
tracheids.

Mechanical Tissue System

Definition: The group of cells or tissue which performs the function of mechanical support are called as
stereome/mechanical tissues.
Various organs of plant body are
subject to mechanical injury from the
forces of nature. Stems of herbaceous
plants are subject to horizontal
pressure on one side and
compression on the other due to high
winds. Woody trees have to bear the
weights of massive branches and the
crown of leaves. The roots are
subject to radial pressure and are
pulled up when the stem is shaken
by high velocity of winds. Leaves are
subject to pressure at right angles to
the surface and the lamina is likely
to be torn by winds. Massive
branches are subject to bending
pressure due to their own weight. To
guard against there various injuries
plants have developed a mechanical
tissue system.
Mechanical tissue system is made
up of four types of cells.
1. Collenchyma
2. Phloem fibres
3. Sclerenchyma fibres
4. Sclereids

Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.

(8) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
Lignified cells of the xylem tissue also give mechanical strength to the organ in which they are situated.(M)
A characteristic feature of these cells is they
have their walls very much thickened due
to cellulose or lignin and give rigidity to
the organ in which they are developed.

Mechanical
leaf Tissues in Stem
A) In Herbaceous stem- The principle
mechanical elements in herbaceous stems
are the strands of sclerenchyma known as
hard bast. Two strands of hard bast on
opposite sides of the axis with intervening
cells form ‘I’ shaped girders of mechanical
tissue. The upper and lower flanges o the
girders are formed by hard bast and the intervening cells from its web. Such girders can resist bending
in a single plane.

B) In Square stem- Square stems

are subject to greater pressure of
wind and rain at the angles. They
possess strands of mechanical
tissue at the four corners. Thus in Torenia there are strands of collenchyma at the angles. Square stems
are common in the family Labiatae. In angular stems there are patches of collenchyma as in the African
marigold Tagetes & Cucurbita. These vertical strands of mechanical tissue prevent bending and give
strength to the axis.
In several plants patches of sclerenchyma are present on the outside of the vascular bundles.
Such sclerenchymatous patches again represent flanges of a girder.

C) In Woody shrubs and trees- The main tree trunk has to bear the weight of its own massive branches
and heavy crown of leaves, which may be compared to putting a load at the top of the cylindrical axis.
Here the tree trunk is subjected to longitudinal compression. Longitudinal pressure of this sort requires
columnar strength. Threes also suffer from horizontal pressure of winds. Thus the Prof.trunk of treesR.S.
Suryavanshi is
(9) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola
subject to both longitudinal and horizontal pressure. Their mechanical tissues are effe3ctively aggregated(M)
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at the central portion which serves as a solid
column for withstanding longitudinal
compression. The central portion of tree trunk is
made up of dead cells of secondary xylem with
thick and lignified \walls. It is comparable to pillars
of re-enforced concrete used in building
construction. The mechanical tissue enables the
trees to resist the pressure of winds and flood water
and support weight of massive branches. Woody
shrubs also have their mechanical tissue of
secondary xylem.
D) In Roots- the weights of the stem are uniformly
distributed over the root system and are subjected
to longitudinal compression. Roots are generally
subject to considerable tension especially when
the stems sway in the high velocity of winds and
roots are pulled upwards. Thus they are subject to
pull along the long axis. When the trees are
uprooted due to shaking of the stem in high winds
they suffer from radial pressure of the soil in which
they are firmly fixed. In summer season roots are

subjected to radial pressure due to

contraction of the soil on losing its moisture
by evaporation. In young roots the peripheral
mechanical cylinder is most effective means
of resisting radial pressure. The mechanical
tissues of old roots are made up of central
cable like mass of secondary xylem. The
cable like mechanical tissue enables the
roots to resist both longitudinal and radial
pulls.
E) In Leaves – The leaves are generally
prone to transverse flexion at right angles
to their surface because by they are bilateral
organs. They are also prone to tearing and
cutting effects by high winds. Leaves can
resist these injuries by peculiar mechanical
elements. The frame work of mechanical
tissue is formed in leaf lamina by the midrib,
secondary veins and vein-lets. The midrib
and secondary veins possess hypodermal
collenchyma and veinlets are mostly made
up of lignified xylem vessels and tracheids.
This vein skeleton of mechanical tissue
enables the lamina to resist the pressure of
winds at the surface. Leaves have special
Prof. Suryavanshi R.S.
arrangement for protection by increased
(10) Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Sangola