What is role of cutin in desert plants?

Answer 1

In order to understand why desert plants have cuticles (cutin) you first have to know what cutin is, it's function, and why some plants have it. Then you can begin to answer why plants specialized for desert climate have cutin.

Cutin is a fatty, wax-like substance secreted by a plant's dermal tissue system. The dermal tissue is also known as the epidermis which is the outermost layer of cells on all young plant organs. If you consider all of this "waxy stuff" as a whole it is termed "cuticle,"similar to the cuticle above your nails. As you can imagine, wax is insoluble in water and therefore "water-proofs" the skin of the plant. In other words, it dictates how much water is lost through the epidermal cells by evaporation, ensures water does not enter, and also keeps other molecules from entering. The cuticle also protects again UV radiation.

Regarding plant's evolutionary history, the adaptation of cutin provided a way for marine plant life to move onto land. Suppose if you were a marine plant and your entire body was surrounded in water, you would rely less on gaseous exchange and evolving structures or mechanisms to trap water within you. If you move onto land and are in hot, dry, desert climates water is scarce and you must adapt to survive. This is why desert plants have cutin.

I hope that helps! I am a Biology major and am currently taking a botany course.

Answer 2

Cutin in desert plants serves as a waxy layer on the outer surface of leaves and stems. This layer helps reduce water loss through transpiration and provides protection against environmental stresses such as high temperatures and UV radiation. Overall, cutin plays a crucial role in helping desert plants adapt to their arid environment.

Answer 3

Cutin is part of the cuticle of plant leaves. The cuticle is a waxy protective film covering the epidermis. Plants in the desert need to retain as much water as possible and this helps.