Cuticle
Last Updated: March 9, 2018
Definition - What does Cuticle mean?
A cuticle is a thin film covering the surface of plants and derived from the outer surfaces of epidermal cells. Cuticles are the outer protective and supportive layer of the epidermis of a plant.
MaximumYield explains Cuticle
The cuticle is made of the pliable, but strong hyaline film; hyaline is the most common of the supportive cartilage tissues. In humans hyaline would be the supportive cartilage of the ears, nose, or larynx. In plants it is the cartilage that helps give a plant its rigidity and stem strength. Its waxy composition also helps prevent water loss.
Plant cuticles are comprised of the main structural components of unique polymers cutin and/or cutan that is impregnated with wax.
