Here's why:
* Protection: Both skin and cuticle act as a barrier to protect the organism from the environment. Skin protects against physical damage, pathogens, and water loss. Cuticle protects the plant from water loss, UV radiation, and pathogens.
* Outermost layer: Both skin and cuticle are the outermost layer of the organism. They are the first line of defense against external threats.
* Non-living: While skin is made of living cells, the outer layer, the stratum corneum, is composed of dead, keratinized cells. Similarly, the cuticle is made of a non-living, waxy substance called cutin.
* Waterproofing: Both skin and cuticle help prevent water loss from the organism.
While skin is more complex than the cuticle, both structures share the fundamental role of protecting the organism from the environment.
