What does dermal tissue in plants primarily do?

Dermal tissue in plants primarily serves to cover the plant surface, acting as a protective layer that shields the inner tissues from various environmental factors such as pathogens, mechanical injury, and desiccation. This tissue is composed primarily of epidermal cells, which may be equipped with additional features like a waxy cuticle that helps reduce water loss and guard cells that regulate gas exchange through stomata.

While dermal tissue is essential for the plant's overall protection and health, it does not play a role in transporting nutrients (which is the function of vascular tissue), providing structural support (which is primarily handled by sclerenchyma and collenchyma in the ground tissue), or storing energy (often managed by parenchyma cells in the ground tissue). The primary function of dermal tissue is indeed to cover and protect the surface of the plant, making it crucial for the plant's survival and efficiency in water and gas exchange.