Lower Epidermis of Tradescantia reflexa Leaf
Lower Epidermis of Tradescantia reflexa Leaf (Whole Mount), Tradescantia reflexa
This is a peel of the lower surface of a Tradescantia leaf stained with fast green. Its long, neat rows of cells and stomata with helper cells around them make a nice monocot comparison to bean leaf peels.
This whole mount preparation showcases the lower epidermal layer (abaxial surface) of a Tradescantia reflexa leaf. The dermal tissue consists of elongated, rectangular pavement cells arranged in parallel rows, characteristic of monocot leaves. Distributed regularly across the epidermal field are distinctive stomatal complexes, each featuring a pair of guard cells surrounded by subsidiary cells forming a classic tetracytic arrangement around the central stomatal pore. Fast Green staining provides high contrast, accentuating the cell walls, guard cell structures, and stomatal distribution essential for gas exchange and water regulation.
What to look for
- Pavement cells: Long, rectangular epidermal cells lined up in parallel rows.
- Stomata: Pores spaced across the surface.
- Guard cells: A pair of cells directly around each pore.
- Subsidiary cells: Usually four helper cells surrounding each pair of guard cells.
At each magnification
Low power (about 4x)
A sheet of cells in straight rows, with stomata scattered along them.
Medium power (about 10x)
The rectangular cells and the ring of cells around each stoma.
High power (about 40x)
The guard cells and pore at the center of each stomatal complex.
Questions and answers
What are subsidiary cells?
Subsidiary cells are epidermal cells next to the guard cells that look different from ordinary pavement cells. They help the guard cells open and close the stoma. In Tradescantia there are usually four around each stoma.
How is a Tradescantia leaf peel different from a bean leaf peel?
Tradescantia is a monocot, so its epidermal cells are long rectangles in parallel rows. A bean is a dicot, so its epidermal cells have wavy edges that fit together like puzzle pieces.
- Category
- Botany & Plants
- Scan magnification
- 20x
- Stain
- Fast Green
- Tags
- lower epidermis of Tradescantia reflexa leaf, Tradescantia reflexa, Tradescantia epidermis, spiderwort epidermis, leaf epidermis whole mount, monocot epidermis
Viewing this slide in class
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