Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The epidermis is the outermost protective layer of cells covering the entire plant body, including stems, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. It serves as the first line of defense against mechanical injury, water loss, and pathogen invasion.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The epidermis is typically composed of a single layer of cells. These cells are tightly packed to form a continuous sheet without intercellular spaces, ensuring an effective barrier against external factors.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: In desert plants (xerophytes), water conservation is critical. Therefore, the epidermis is covered with a thick waxy coating called the cuticle (composed of cutin). This layer strictly limits water loss through transpiration, rather than facilitating it.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The epidermal cells of roots, particularly in the maturation zone, often extend into unicellular hair-like structures known as root hairs. These extensions greatly increase the total surface area available for the absorption of water and mineral nutrients from the soil.
Key Takeaway: The plant epidermis is a protective tissue that modifies its structure based on function: it forms a waxy cuticle in aerial parts to prevent water loss and develops root hairs in underground parts to maximize absorption.