Epidermis and Secretory

Structures
BIO 164 Pre-Lab Discussion
OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the exercise, the student should be able to:

 recognize the diversity of form and structure in the
epidermal layer.
 recognize common secretory structures among plants;
 associate the specific secretory material with the
secretory structure;
 recognize some common morpho-anatomical features
that would help identify secretory structures
 Overview of the Activity
• Epidermis
– Adaxial vs abaxial layers (in leaves)
– Uniseriate vs multiseriate epidermis
• Stomata
– Stoma, guard cells, subsidiary cells
– Stomatal Configurations
• Secretory Structures
-Internal: Internal secretory cells, Secretory cavities and ducts,
Laticifers
- External: Salt Glands, Hydathodes, Nectaries, Colleters, Osmophores,
Glandular trichomes, Stinging hairs
 Adaxial vs Abaxial Layer of Epidermis

Top or upper
Epidermis

Bottom or
lower The epidermis may be a homogeneous layer surrounding a
Epidermis tissue like the stem or may differ depending on its layer in
leaves.
Uniseriate epidermis Multiseriate Epidermis

 TASK: FHS: TASK: Multiseriate epidermis of orchid

uniseriate velamen
epidermis of corn  PS: Pinus needle – epidermis,
xs, hypodermis and cuticle
Additional Procedure:
Prepare thin transverse section of corn leaves by using a
styrofoam support, stain with Toluidine Blue and compare the
structure of the upper and lower epidermis.
 Stomatal complex or apparatus
(stoma, guard cell, subsidiary cell)
 Task FHS: paradermal
section of the following
leaves:

1. Monocot: (Figure 4)
a. coconut leaf upper
epidermis
b. coconut lower epidermis

2. Dicot: (Figure 5)
a. Mango leaves upper
Stomatal distribution may be categorized as: epidermis
• amphistomatic leaf – stomata occur on both b. Mango leaves lower
surfaces; epidermis
• epistomatic leaf – only one surface, on the
upper leaf (adaxial); and
• hypostomatic leaf – on the lower leaf
surface (abaxial)
 Stomata (singular, stoma)

http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/learning
/plant_form_function/revision_modules/2003
A_Pmodules/module1/1AB6a.shtml www1.biologie.uni-hamburg.de
 Types of stomata
Types of stomata based on arrangement of mature subsidiary cells: The same species
may show more than one type of stomata.
1- Anomocytic (irregular celled): stomata lack subsidiary cells or limited alike epidermal
cells
2- Anisocytic (unequal celled): stomata with three unequal subsidiary cells (one smaller
than the other two)
3- Diacytic (cross celled): stomata with one pair or more than one pair of subsidiary cells
with their common wall at right angles to guard cells
4- Paracytic (parallel celled): stomata have one or more subsidiary cells at either side of
the guard cells
5- Actinocytic (radiate celled): several subsidiary cells with perpendicular longitudinal
axes to outline of the guard cells
 Nerium oleander (Adelfa)

http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2014/04/04/Rosina
Bloom/877c9f.jpg

http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/894/flashcards/4634894/jpg/xerophytic_leaf_(2)-
143E4D455760A96A63D.jpg

The crypts are large chambers in the

mesophyll, covered with an epidermis
that contains stomata as well as
trichomes (hairs) that project into the
http://www.arbolesyarbustos.com/images crypt.
/478x318/037_1.jpg

Task. Observe the stomatal

crypts of the permanent slide of
Nerium oleander, a xerophytic
plant in HPO.
 EXTERNAL SECRETORY STRUCTURES
• TRICHOMES
– Non-glandular
– Glandular
• Oil secretion - mayana,
oregano, basil, tomato,
sunflower, Tridax
• Stinging trichomes – ramie,
urtica ‘lipang aso’, Euphorbia
hirta
• Colleters – Rubiaceae (coffee http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/learning/pla
nt_form_function/revision_modules/2003A_Pmod
flower buds) ules/module1/1AC1.shtml
TRICHOMES
(unicellular vs pluricellular, glandular vs non-glandular)
Covering/ Non-glandular trichomes

Papillae are protrusions of the

epidermal surfaces
Scales / peltate hairs for water
absorption
Non-glandular trichomes – present on
most angiosperms, some
gymnosperms and bryophytes
 Glandular Trichomes

Gland hairs = single

celled stalk and single
or multi-celled head

Glandular trichomes –
source of essential
Transverse section of stem of foxglove oils, natural fragrances
(Digitalis purpurea)
or products
It is a glandular trichome (less formally called a (pharmaceutical
glandular hair) that consists of a stalk that supports industry)
the secretory head.

The secretory product may simply accumulate inside

the central vacuole of the secretory cells, or it may
instead accumulate between the cell wall and the
cuticle (the cuticle here is too thin to see).
Stinging
Trichomes
Lipang Aso or Stinging Nettle
Task. Prepare free hand section
(transverse or paradermal section) of
the following specimens:
View in HPO and identify the type of
trichome.
a. Tridax procumbens (wild daisy)
stem ; Euphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa)
stem Figure 9)
b. Ocimum basilicum (basil) leaves;
Origanum vulgare (Oregano) leaves
(Figure 10)
ii. c. Examine the slide of Bristle.
Mucuna pruriens trichomes. Identify
the type of trichome according to the
image guide above. (Figure 11)
 Extrafloral
Floral Nectaries Nectaries
• Nectaries secrete sugar Task. Examine the
solutions called nectar. intrafloral nectaries on
the available species
• a. Extra-floral nectaries –
listed below. (Figure
– Location: Commonly occur on the leaf
blade, rachis, petiole, stem, in 12)
proximity to the reproductive parts, a. Between sepals and
but may also be found on bracts,
stipules or cotyledons. petals –Hibiscus,
– Function: secretes unwanted fluids b. On stigma –
from plant body and to attract ants
which ward off other insects pests. Calotropis
• b. Intrafloral nectaries c. As disc above
– Location: occupy various positions on inferior ovary –
the flower, sepals, petals, stamen,
ovaries or receptacles. Cucurbita
– Function: They serve for pollination
and act as indirect bait for agents of
pollination.
Colleters
• are protuberances or
trichomes that
produce and release
an exudate that
overlays vegetative
or reproductive
buds.

Source: Mayer JLS, Carmello-Guerreiro SM, Mazzafera P.

2013. A functional role for the colleters of coffee flowers.
AoB PLANTS 5: plt029; doi:10.1093/aobpla/plt029
• Colleters have a functional
definition, as they are thought to
protect young tissues against
dehydration and pest attack
Salt Glands Digestive Glands
 INTERNAL SECRETORY STRUCTURES
• Secretory cells are large cells containing  Task. Obtain orange peels and
substances such as oils, tannins, resins, prepare paradermal sections.
mucilage and crystals. Observe the large secretory
– Functions: storage; production of chemical cells under HPO. (Figure 13)
deterrents to foraging animals; source of many oils
human use.
• Canals, ducts and cavities secrete oils and  Task. View Pinus resin canals
resins. Resin ducts are elongated cavities (stem and needles x.s.) unde
that contain sticky resin. HPO. (Figure 14).
– Functions: These oils deter grazing animals and
resin rapidly seals wounds.
 Task. Obtain stem of Euphorbia
• Laticifers secrete latex, a milky white hirta. Prepare a longitudinal
substance, containing a hodgepodge of section. Stain with toluidine
carbohydrates, organic acids, alkaloids, blue Use appropriate stain to
terpenes, oils, enzymes and rubber. view its laticifers.
 Secretory Cells
Additional Procedure: Prepare thin paradermal or transverse sections of orange peels
and mount in water. Several secretory cavities ( spaces formed between breakdown of
cells) will be evident. Stain some with Sudan (lumen and surrounding cells of the cavities
will turn red).
 Resin Ducts
RESIN DUCTS

Resin - a sticky flammable organic

substance, insoluble in water, exuded by
some trees and other plants (notably fir
and pine).
LATICIFERS