Final answer:
The correct option is C). Sieve tubes are not a component of the plant epidermis; they are part of the phloem and are involved in the transport of nutrients, whereas the epidermis includes the cuticle, guard cells, and trichomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component that is not a part of the epidermis is C) Sieve tubes. The epidermis of a plant is a single layer of cells that covers the leaves, flowers, roots, and stems of plants. It serves several functions including protection against water loss, physical damage, and infection. The cuticle is a waxy layer that covers the epidermis and helps to reduce water loss from the plant surface. Guard cells are specialized epidermal cells that control the opening and closing of stomata, which are pores used for gas exchange. Trichomes are hair-like structures on the epidermal surface that help in reducing water loss and can also serve as a defense against herbivory.
Sieve tubes, on the other hand, are part of the phloem tissue that transports sugars and other organic nutrients throughout the plant, not the epidermis. Therefore, sieve tubes are not a component of the epidermis and are the correct answer to the question asked.