Which of the following are correct statements about the cuticle? Choose all correct answers This thin layer is used in the vast majority of plants to seal leaves against desiccation. The cuticle is typically one cell layer thick. It is a hydrophobic layer. It is alive.

The correct statements are:<br /><br />* **This thin layer is used in the vast majority of plants to seal leaves against desiccation.** The cuticle's primary function is to prevent water loss from the leaf surface. It acts as a barrier, keeping water vapor inside the leaf.<br /><br />* **It is a hydrophobic layer.** The cuticle is composed of cutin, a waxy substance that repels water. This hydrophobic nature is crucial for its function in preventing water loss.<br /><br /><br />The incorrect statements are:<br /><br />* **The cuticle is typically one cell layer thick.** The cuticle is not cellular; it's a non-cellular layer secreted by the epidermal cells of the leaf.<br /><br />* **It is alive.** As a secreted layer composed primarily of waxes, the cuticle is not living tissue.<br />