A waxy, protective substance that forms the outer coating of leaves, stems, and fruits in plants, helping them retain water and resist damage.
From Latin cutis meaning 'skin,' with the suffix -in used in chemistry. Scientists named this plant substance after recognizing it as analogous to a skin-like protective layer on plants.
Cutin is nature's waterproof sealant—it's what makes leaves waxy to the touch and is so durable that it can survive in soil for thousands of years, which is how paleontologists study ancient plants!
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