AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The cuticle is a waxy substance that is present on the surface of leaves. It prevents excessive loss of water from the plant by transpiration. The greater the thickness of the cuticle lesser is the transpiration rate.

Detailed explanation-2: -i) the thickness of cuticle is inversely proportional to the influence of light and carbon dioxide entering into the leaf. The cuticle is the waxy layer present on all above-ground tissue of a plant and serves as a barrier to water movement out of a leaf. so less light will enter and less transpiration will occur.

Detailed explanation-3: -Desert plant (xerophytes) and plants that grow on other plants (epiphytes) have limited access to water. Such plants usually have a much thicker waxy cuticle than those growing in more moderate, well-watered environments (mesophytes).

Detailed explanation-4: -Plant cuticles, as well as waxes deposited on top of the cuticle, are important for the plant in controlling transpiration–the movement of water through the plant, from the roots to its eventual evaporation from the leaves.

Detailed explanation-5: -The waxy covering on plant leaves, young stems, and fruit is called the “cuticle". It is composed of cutin, a wax-like material produced by the plant that is chemically a hydroxy fatty acid. The purpose of this covering is to help the plant retain water.