Question

What is epidermis?

Answer 1

Epidermis is the outer layer of cells covering an organism, in particular, the surface epithelium of the skin of an animal, overlying the dermis and the outer layer of tissue in a plant, except where it is replaced by periderm.

Functions:
1) The epidermal cells protect the underlying cells
2) The waxy cuticle prevents the loss of moisture from the leaves and stems
3) The transparent epidermal cells allow sunlight (for photosynthesis) to pass through to the chloroplasts in the mesophyll tissue
4) The stomata of leaves and stems allow gaseous exchange to take place which is necessary for photosynthesis and respiration
5) Water vapour may be given off through the stomata during transpiration
6) The root-hairs absorb water and dissolved ions from the soil.