Question

Specialized epidermal cells surrounding the guard cells are called as
A. Complementary cells
B. Subsidiary cells
C. Bulliform cells
D. Lenticels

Answer 1

Hint: It is a plant epidermal cell that is located next to a guard cell in the stroma of a leaf and differs in structure from other epidermal cells. They are also called accessory cells.

Complete Answer:
To answer this question, first, we need to know about epidermal cells. Epidermal cells include several types of cells that make up the epidermis of plants. Although they serve a number of important functions, their primary role is to protect from a variety of harmful factors (environmental stressors) including microbes, chemical compounds as well as ultraviolet light among others.

Now, let us find the solution from the option.
- Complementary cells are a mass of cells in plants, formed from the cork cambium at the position of the lenticels.
- As subsidiary cells & guard cells, both are the modification of epidermal cells in which guard cells have chloroplasts which are absent in surroundings subsidiary cells.
- Bulliform cells or motor cells are large, bubble-shaped epidermal cells that occur in groups on the upper surface of the leaves of many monocots.
- Lenticels are porous tissues used in plant respiration.

Thus, the correct option is B. i.e. Subsidiary cells.

Note: Subsidiary cells can help guard cell function by providing a mechanical benefit that enables guard cell motility, and/or by working as storage for water and ions. In other situations, subsidiary cells initiate or increase certain morphologies (like sunken stomata) that affect gas exchange. Subsidiary cells are not much necessary but it’s an epidermal cell that works like supplements.