Final answer:
Differences between apical and basal surfaces induce distinct functional characteristics in plants and epithelial cells, such as the direction of growth in meristems and the distribution of organelles. In leaves, these surfaces affect transpiration rates, with the upper surface experiencing more water loss than the lower. This polarity is also vital for cellular functions such as permeability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences between apical and basal surfaces result in distinct cellular layouts and functions. In plants, the apical surface is typically found at the tips of roots and shoots, characterized by apical meristems that enable lengthwise growth. In contrast, the basal surface can refer to the bottom facing part of a cellular layer, often involved in anchoring and interacting with surrounding structures.
In the context of leaves, the adaxial or upper surface generally receives more sunlight, leading to faster water evaporation through transpiration.
On the other hand, the abaxial or lower surface is comparatively shaded and retains moisture better. In epithelial cells, polarity between basal and apical surfaces is crucial for function, with different organelles and proteins distributed accordingly- cilia localized on the apical surface, for example.
Lastly, the concept of polarity is important in understanding cellular function and structure, as demonstrated by the different roles of apical versus basal sides in permeability and compound quantification studies such as those using HPLC.