Aboveground epidermal cells secrete a layer of waxy cutin, called the _______, which helps retard water loss from stems and leaves.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The waxy layer secreted by aboveground epidermal cells is called cutin, and it forms a cuticle that helps to prevent water loss from stems and leaves. Lignin is a component of the cell wall that provides structural support, but it does not form a waxy layer. Suberin is a waxy substance found in the cell walls of cork, but it is not normally present in the epidermis of leaves and stems. Stomata are openings in the leaf epidermis that regulate gas exchange, but they do not secrete a waxy layer. Bark is the outermost layer of the stems and roots of woody plants, but it is not formed by the epidermis.

Aboveground Epidermal Cells Secrete a Layer of Waxy Cutin, Called