The main function of bulliform cells in grasses is :

Question

Accepted Answer

D. 1. **Identify what bulliform cells are**: They are large, thin-walled, colourless epidermal cells located on the upper (adaxial) surface of grass leaves, usually grouped near the veins.

2. **Understand their behaviour under water stress**: Since bulliform cells store water and have no cutin layer, they are the first to lose water and become flaccid when the plant faces a water deficit.

3. **Link the loss of turgidity to leaf shape**: As these cells go flaccid, they shrink, which pulls the leaf lamina inward, causing the **leaf to curl or roll**.

4. **Connect curling to water conservation**: Rolling reduces the leaf surface area exposed to sunlight and moving air, which lowers the rate of transpiration.

Hence, the main function of bulliform cells is **to minimize water loss during water stress**, so the answer is **D**.