Functions of the Epidermis The epidermis acts as a barrier that protects the body from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, harmful chemicals, and pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Here, we discuss the control of epidermal cell fate and the function of the epidermal cell layer in the light of recent advances in the field. The epidermis is a single layer of cells covering a plant's stem, leaves, flowers, and roots. Thereof, what is the function of the epidermis in a leaf? It guards the interior organs, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Most plants are covered by a tightly packed, single layer of see-through cells, called the epidermis. The epidermis is 4 layers thick, and are as follows- stratum basale, stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum. The aerial parts of plants have waxy, water resistant layer on the outer surface of epidermal cells which in turn reduces water loss and provide protection against mechanical injury and invasion of parasitic fungi. When stomata open to exchange gases during photosynthesis, water is … The epidermis covers the outer surfaces of the leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and roots of the plant, but it is chemically connected to cell layers below. But it is interrupted by stomata. It plays a vital role in the formation of cells of new skin. An intact epidermis is crucial for certain key processes in plant development, shoot growth and plant defence. Epidermis in Plants. The epidermis serves several functions: it protects against water loss, regulates gas exchange, secretes metabolic compounds, and (especially in … Epidermis function includes protecting your body from harmful things like bacteria and UV radiation and helping ensure beneficial things like moisture and … The epidermis in plants is a layer of cells that usually covers the roots, stems, leaves and flowers of plants. The lower epidermis contains stomata cells that help prevent water loss and regulate the exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, enabling plants to survive. Epidermis Function. It forms a boundary between the plant and the external environment. Epidermis is the protective tissue of plants which forms the outer covering of entire plant surface and protects the underlying tissues. Epidermis is generally composed of single layer of parenchymatous cells compactly arranged without intercellular spaces. Historically, it was thought that the function of the epidermis was to regulate fluid and … Function. But the epidermis also serves a variety of other functions for plants. Serving as a plant’s skin, epidermis cells protect internal tissues from the outside world by creating a barrier. It consists of epidermis, stomata and epidermal outgrowths. Epidermal tissue system is the outermost covering of plants. 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