I.

Functions of Roots

• Absorption
• Anchorage
• Conduction
• Reproduction
• Food storage
• Photosynthesis

II. Characteristics of Roots

• Cylindrical in form
• Colorless or with drab colors
• Lack nodes and internodes
• Lack buds, leaves and flowers
• Generally branching

III. Root Systems

1. Diffuse or Fibrous roots have several or many main roots, usually slender and about the same size and length, with
numerous smaller root branches.
2. Taproot or Primary Root System is distinguished by the presence of a primary or main root which is the first root to
develop during seed germination and which penetrates deep into the soil.
3. Fleshy Root System is a taproot system wherein the main root has considerably enlarged in size
4. Fascicled Root System have swollen bulb-like parts in the roots.

* Adventitious roots are roots that arise from anything other than the radicle. These roots can arise in the stems, or other
parts of the plant.

Diffuse/Fibrous Taproot Fleshy Taproot Fascicled Adventitious

IV. Root Structure: Four Regions (Longitudinal section, L-S)

MONOCOT vs. DICOT

MONOCOT DICOT

RADICLE is the first, main root coming from the embryo or seed.

1. Root Cap
A thimble-shaped mass of parenchyma cells at the tip of each root. The root cap
protects the root tips from abrasion. Dictyosomes release a mucilaginous lubricant
called mucigel that facilitates the movement of the root tip through the soil. It also
favors the growth of beneficial commensal bacteria. Amyloplasts on the sides of the
root cap cells contain starch which act as gravity sensors.

2. Region of Cell Division/Meristematic Region

The region in which new cells are formed via mitosis. The cells are actively dividing
(every 12-36 hours) and are small and nearly cube-like.
a. Apical initials – group of cells known as “growth initiating cells”
i. Growing point consist of group of actively dividing cells; make up the primary
meristem
ii. Primary meristem consist of cells that have begun to show differentiation
The three meristematic areas are:
-protoderm which gives rise to the epidermis
-ground meristem which gives rise to the parenchyma of the cortex
-procambium which gives rise to the primary xylem and phloem
b. Quiescent Center – group of cells where no cell division takes place
3. Region of Elongation
This region merge with the apical meristem. The cells become longer and wider,
with large vacuoles. The cells are mature and make up the embryonic tissues or
generative tissues.

*Embryonic/Generative Tissues
i. Protoderm/dermatogen
ii. Ground meristem/Periblem
iii. Procambium/Phlerome

4. Region of Maturation or Region of Differentiation or Root hair zone

The region above the elongation region where most of the cells mature and
differentiate into various distinctive cell types of the primary tissues.
* Embryonic tissues undergo modification and maturation
i. Protoderm/dermatogen Epidermis
ii. Ground meristem/Periblem Cortex and Pericycle
iii. Procambium/Phlerome Xylem and Phloem and Pith
**Cortex is the region between the epidermis and the pericycle; stores food
**Pericycle is the region lying between the endodermis and the conducting
bundles (xylem/phloem). The cells here continue to divide even after
maturation and form the lateral branch roots and part of the vascular
cambium

*Root hair zone – the “youngest” part of the region; root hair is evident in this area. Root hair-like extensions of the
epidermal cells that adhere tightly to soil particles and increase the absorptive surface of the root. When a seedling or
plant is moved, many of the delicate root hairs are torn off or die if exposed to the sun. Thereby, greatly reducing the
plant’s capacity to absorb water and minerals in solution. This is why plants should be watered, shaded, and pruned
after transplanting until new root hairs have formed.

V. Internal Anatomy of the Root (Cross- section, C-S)

1. Epidermis: It is one-cell thick and it covers the root except the root cap. It absorbs water and dissolved material from
the soil.

2. Cortex: It is formed by the ground meristem and occupies the largest cross-section area of the root
a. Hypodermis – outermost layer (the cells contain SUBERIN)
b. Parenchyma cells – make up the cortex (the cells contain STARCH)
c. Endodermis – innermost layer (lined with the CASPARIAN STRIP)

3. Stele: It is the central part of the root containing the tissues derived from the procambium
a. Pericycle – outermost layer
b. Vascular tissues – xylem and phloem
c. Parenchymatous pith – innermost region of monocot roots (for food storage and support)
Root Structures of monocots differ from dicots in some aspects:
*Monocots – have pith (xylem cells are arranged in a ring)
*Dicots – No pith present

MONOCOT ROOT (cross section) DICOT ROOT (cross section)

CASPARIAN STRIP
VI. Physiology of Root Absorption

1. Water is absorbed through osmosis. Absorption occurs only when the water concentration in the root cells is lower
than that of their environment.

2. Minerals are absorbed by active transport. Minerals are absorbed to maintain the hypertonicity of root cells for the
roots to keep on absorbing water from the soil and for continuous water movement. The nutrients will serve as the
solutes.

VII. Path of water into Roots

1. Apoplastic pathway: Water enters through a set of interconnected porous cell walls which function for conduction.
2. Symplastic pathway: Water and minerals enter through interconnected cytoplasm of cells.

VIII. Secondary Growth of Roots

• Secondary growth - a characteristic feature of dicotyledons gymnosperms (flowerless plants that produce cones
and seeds)

In both roots and stems, growth may be determinate or indeterminate

-Determinate- stops after an organ is fully expanded; after a plant has reached a certain size
-Indeterminate- trees and perennials- new tissues are added indefinitely
IX. Modified Roots
The roots have modifications that adapt them for performing specific functions other than absorption of water and
minerals.

1. Fleshy/Storage roots are modified for storage of food (starch or sucrose) or water; the cortex of these roots is
enlarged and fleshy with abundant parenchyma cells.
Beets Turnips Carrots Radish

2. Adventitious roots form adventitious buds that develop into aboveground shoots, which may form new plants.

a. Brace or Prop roots are produced toward the base of the stem and extend above the surface of the ground. They
serve for support and strong anchorage.
Corn Balete

b. Aerial roots are entirely above the ground and can be classified as climbing, photosynthetic, velamen and floating.
They usually function for support and propagation. The velamen roots of orchids aid in absorption of rain water and
prevent loss of moisture.
Climbing ivy Succulents
3. Pneumatophores are knee-shaped roots with aerenchyma cells. Plants with roots growing in water have spongy roots
that grow above the water surface. This facilitates gaseous exchange between the atmosphere & the subsurface roots.
Mangroves (swampy areas)

4. Aquatic roots have hairy/feathery lateral roots for buoyancy

Water hyacinth

5. Photosynthetic roots are green in color, contains chloroplast and functions for the manufacture of food
Orchid

6. Contractile roots pull down deeper into the soil until a stable temperature is reached. It commonly found in corm
and bulb- forming plants.
Gladiolus
7. Buttress roots are plank-like roots of huge trees and plants that grow in shallow soil. The roots function for stability and
support.
Kapok tree Fig tree

8. Parasitic roots/Haustorial roots have peg-like projections called haustoria (sing. haustorium) that penetrate the outer
tissues and establish connection to the xylem and phloem of the host plant. Some parasitic plants and plant with no
chlorophyll are able to absorb water and nutrients from another plant in this way.
Mistletoe Dodder

9. Symbiotic roots: Mutualism between a plant and bacterium which allows for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen
that the plant can utilize. In return, the bacterium has food from the plant and a place to live.

a. Rhizobium - roots with localized swellings due to the infestation of the root with Rhizobium, a nitrogen-fixing
bacteria; the bacteria receives carbohydrates and other substances from the host, while the plant receives
nitrogen-containing ions from the bacteria (example: legumes-beans)

b. Mycorrhiza/fungus roots – “fungus roots” consist of a symbiotic relationship between a plant and a fungus; In
this partnership, the fungus provides protection against some types of pathogens and increase the surface area
for the absorption of essential nutrients (e.g. phosphorous) from the soil. The plant in return provides food for the
fungus in the form of sugar and amino acids. This is beneficial for plants with no root hairs.

Rhizobium Mycorrhiza
 X. Human Relevance of Roots

1. Food source: Root crops such as carrots, turnips, ube, cassava, radish, sweet potatoes
2. Spices such as sarsaparilla, licorice, turmeric
3. Dyes such as those obtained from red cedar, ivy, cherry root
4. Ornaments
5. Industry
6. Drugs/Medicines such as aconite, ipecac, gentian, reserpine, ginseng, nicotine (in tobacco plants, nicotine is
produced in the roots and is transported to the leaves.
7. Insecticide such as rotenone from barbasco plant
8. Prevent erosion
9. Water conservation
10. Phytoremediation: certain plants only grow in heavy metal-laden soils