EVERYDAY SCIENCE

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: -A waxy layer known as the cuticle covers the leaves of all plant species. The cuticle reduces the rate of water loss from the leaf surface.

Detailed explanation-3: -The primary function of the cuticle acts as a permeability barrier in plants to prevent the evaporation of the water from the outer epidermal surface.

Detailed explanation-4: -A cuticle is a non-cellular waxy layer secreted by epidermal cells. Its water-resistant nature helps in reducing the loss of water. Cuticle is very beneficial for desert plants as they require to conserve water and not loose it during transpiration.

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.