Import Question JSON

Epidermal hairs on stems, known as trichomes, can have various functions including secretion. Some trichomes are glandular and can secrete substances such as oils, resins, and mucilage, which can serve various purposes such as deterring herbivores or trapping insects. Therefore, statement 1, 'May sometimes be secretory in function,' is the correct answer. Statement 2, 'Have vascular supply,' is incorrect because trichomes are not typically vascularized, as they are simple outgrowths of epidermal cells and do not have specialized vascular tissues. Statement 3, 'May be soft or stiff but unbranched always,' is incorrect because trichomes can come in various forms, including soft or stiff, and can be branched or unbranched depending on the plant species. Statement 4, 'Are endogenous in origin like lateral roots,' is incorrect because trichomes are exogenous (outwardly produced) structures that arise from the epidermal cells of the stem, whereas lateral roots are endogenous (inwardly produced) structures that arise from the pericycle of the root.