Question

Which of the following is not a function of epidermis?
A. Protection from adverse condition
B. Gaseous exchange
C. Conduction of water
D. Transpiration.

Answer 1

The epidermis is the uppermost uni layer of cells that covers all the parts of the plant including leaves, flowers, roots and stems of the plants and forms the boundary between the plant and the external environment. In plants, for the conduction of water, minerals and food specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) are found.

Complete answer:
The epidermis is usually transparent because epidermal cells have fewer chloroplasts or sometimes lack them completely except for the guard cells.
The most common functions of the epidermis are to regulate gas exchange, protect against water loss, secrete metabolic compounds, and absorb the water and mineral nutrients from the environment. The upper and lower surfaces of most leaves have some different constructions and serve different functions.
In plants, the function of protection is performed by two types of tissues, namely epidermis and cork.
The walls of the epidermal cells of the above parts of the plants contain cutting and are covered by a cuticle. This cuticle reduces water loss to the atmosphere and is sometimes covered with the wax layer which acts as a moisture barrier and protects the plants from the intense sunlight.
Many leaves have the thinner cuticle on the underside than on the top side and leaves of the plants from the dry climate have thickened cuticles that help to conserve water by reducing transpiration.
The epidermis of the leaf and stem of a plant is covered with the pores called stomata which regulates the exchange of gases and water vapors between the outside air and the interior of the leaf.

So, the option (C), Conduction of water is not a function of the epidermis.

Note: The mature cork is a non-living tissue that has cell walls made up of a waxy substance called as suberin that is highly impermeable to water and gases.
The lenticels are parenchymatous epidermal pores found on the stem, fruits, and petioles that help in gaseous exchange and regulation of opening of stomata.