question_answer 49)

  In desert plants, rate of water loss gets reduced due to the presence of (a) cuticle                            (b) stomata                        (c) lignin                               (d) suberin

Answer:

  (a) Cuticle are protective, hydrophobia waxy covering produced by epidermal cells of leaves, young shoots and other aerial parts. It minimizes the water loss through transpiration (with the help of stomata) and also reduces pathogen entry. Lignin hardens the cell wall and provides flexibility, tensile and compressional strength to the cell wall. Suberin is present in cork cells and makes the cell impervious to water.