AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Answer: 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.

Detailed explanation-2: -In most land plants, water enters the roots and is transported up to the leaves through specialized cells known as xylem (pronounced zigh-lem). Plants have a waxy cuticle on their leaves to prevent desiccation, or drying out.

Detailed explanation-3: -The cuticles are protective, hydrophobic, waxy coverings produced by the epidermal cells of leaves, young shoots and all other aerial plant organs. Cuticles minimize water loss and effectively reduce pathogen entry due to their waxy secretion.

Detailed explanation-4: -The protective and waxy covering around the epidermis of leaves, young shoots, and other aerial parts of a plant is called the cuticle.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thick waxy cuticle: The cuticle cuts down water loss in two ways: it acts as a barrier to evaporation and also the shiny surface reflects heat and so lowers temperature. Sunken stomata: Stomata may be sunk in pits in the epidermis; moist air trapped here lengthens the diffusion pathway and reduces evaporation rate.