Question

The transfer of heat from the plant to the surrounding environment is influenced by the existence of the boundary layer, which refers to the layer of

A) waxy cutin on the surface of a leaf.
B) epidermal cells surrounding the stomata.
C) mesodermal cells beneath the epidermis.
D) still air or water adjacent to the surface of a leaf.

Answer 1

The boundary layer influencing the transfer of heat and matter from the plant to the environment refers to the still air or water adjacent to the leaf's surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

The transfer of heat from the plant to the surrounding environment is influenced by the existence of the boundary layer, which refers to the layer of still air or water adjacent to the surface of a leaf. This boundary layer acts as an insulator, slowing the transfer of heat and mass between the leaf and its environment. When we investigate the structure affecting this phenomenon, we find that leaves have a waxy cuticle on the outer surface that prevents excessive water loss, while the stomata, surrounded by specialized guard cells, regulate the boundary of gas and water vapor. Influence on this boundary layer can significantly affect transpiration and the overall heat exchange between the plant and the environment.