ROOTS 2.

Reproduction –
HOME OF THE NUTRIENTS Sweet potato plants reproduce through the buds on its roots.

Introduction 3. Hygroscopic Roots –

Roots of epiphytic plants absorb water from air.
Plant roots is the origin wherein growth and development of plants occur. It serves a
multitude of functions. It anchors the plant body and provides physical support. It can also be 4. Haustoria (Haustorial Roots) –
considered as a storage organ. However, it is very much known for being the sanctuary of These are roots of parasitic plants such as the mistletoe. It helps absorb food from
nutrients of the plants; it absorbs water and nutrients from the soil and supplies it to the other the host.
parts of the plants.
Basic Anatomy
General Information
When a plant seed germinates, the first structure to emerge from the seed is a root. This
 The roots of plants do the important work of constantly bringing in water and nutrients root, initiated by a germinating seed, is called a seminal root. The seminal root becomes the
so the plant can grow. primary root and, on some plants, it is the most important root in the whole root system. Other
roots eventually branch out from the primary root. These are called secondary or lateral roots.
 Roots are simple axial organs that produce lateral toots, and sometimes buds, but bear
neither leaves nor flowers. It grows continually into new regions of soil. At the tip of the root, there is an area where new cells develop, called the apical
meristem. The apical meristem is easily damaged, and so it has a root cap over the top of it to
Functions of the Roots protect it from damage as it grows through the large, and sometimes coarse, soil particles.
Roots are composed of the following:
 Primary or Main Functions
1. Anchorage –  Epidermis
Roots take part in fixation and supporting of the plant. The surface of the root is covered with a skin of cells called the epidermis. The
epidermis is where the water and minerals enter the root through osmosis and
2. Absorption of Water and Minerals – diffusion. The epidermis generates distinctive growths, or hairs, called trichomes.
Roots absorb water and mineral salts in the soil.
 Root Hair
3. Transportation – These are elongated microscopic outgrowths from the outer layer of the cells. It
Roots have channels for the flow of absorbed water and minerals. helps absorbs moisture and nutrients.
 Secondary or Accessory Functions  Cortex
1. Balancing – It is the outer layer of tissue immediately below the epidermis of the root.
Free floating plants such as the pistia plant requires a base that will help them
balance in the water surface.
  Endodermis References
It is the innermost layer of the cortex. It has the Casparian Strip which regulates the
flow of water. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root
http://www.mycaert.com/career-profiles
 Pericycle
It is another layer of cells just inside of the endodermis. The pericycle is important http.//www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de.html
because it has meristematic properties. It is where lateral (branch) roots originate.
http://www.cropsreview.com/plant-root-system.html
 Vascular Tissue http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/botany/roots.html
Vascular tissue is located at the center of the root, inside the pericycle. Root tissues http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/R/Roots.html
of monocot plants are similar to dicots except for their vascular tissues. In a dicot
root, xylem tissue is at the center and, in a cross-sectional view and appears like a http://facweb.furman.edu/~lthompson/bgy34/plantanatomy/plant_root.html
star or an X while vascular tissues of monocots form ring-like bundles. http://www.biologydiscussion.com/plants/primary-and-secondary-functions-of-roots-
plants/70311
 Phloem
The vascular tissue in plants that conducts sugar and other metabolic products
downward from the leaves. Submitted By

 Xylem Camaligan, Dan Adrian N.

It is one of the two types of transportation tissue in which it supplies water and
Constantino, Margarita Ann L.
nutrients from the roots to stems and leaves.
Menez, Precious Shanel P.
Palayan, Gaile Dominique C.
Reyes, Kharla Reign A.
Ricafort, Rayzel Janine M.
Santayana, Adriona May B.
BSA – IV

Figure 1. Basic Anatomy of Roots