Question

The cell of epidermal tissues does not have intercellular space because:
A. They are squared shapes.
B. They have a protective fluid.
C. They have a dense cytoplasm.
D. Their side walls stick together due to the wax secretion.

Answer 1

Hint: Epidermal tissues secrete a substance called cutin which forms a cuticle impermeable to water.

Complete answer : Epidermal tissues are the outermost covering of the plants. Epidermal tissues are irregular in shape and it consists of the epidermis, stomata, epidermal cells, epidermal hair. The epidermis is the main part of epidermal tissue and it is formed of living cells and it is usually transparent. Epidermal tissue is irregular in shape. So, they can’t be square. For the prevention of water loss, the epidermal tissue serves as a barrier by the help of cuticle or waxy material due to which the side walls of epidermal tissue stitch together to regulate the water absorption. So, due to this reason epidermal tissues do not have intercellular space.

Additional information: The functions of epidermal tissue are:
Epidermal tissue protects the underlying tissue.
Stomata present in the epidermis helps in transpiration (loss of excess water) and exchange of the gases.
Cuticle protects against water loss.
Epidermal hair absorbs water and mineral salts from the soil.

Thus, the correct is option D. i.e., Their side walls stick together due to the wax secretion.

Note: Chloroplasts are only present in the guard cells but in epidermal cells chloroplast is absent. Epidermal tissue is a plant tissue. Protective tissues include epidermis (in terms of function) but it is a simple permanent tissue.