Parts of the Plant

ROOTS

Parts of the Plant: Roots

Functions of Roots

• 1. anchor the plant and hold it upright.

• 2. absorb moisture and minerals from the soil and conduct them to the stem.

• 3.Storage of plant food.

Functions of Roots continued

• In some plants, but not all plants...

• 4. propagate or reproduce the plant

• 5. can be used for food: vegetables: carrots, beets,

The Anatomy of a Root

• Root cap – covers the tip of the root and protects it as it pushes through the soil.

• New cells are produced under the root cap by meristem tissue through mitosis.

• This addition of cells is how a root grows.

• Root hairs – are the actual point of moisture absorption.

• The root system of a typical tree develops a root system that extends in all directions as far as the tree is tall or more...

Types of Root Systems

• Plants generally conform to one of two types of roots systems:

• Tap Root System

• Fibrous Root System

Types of Roots • Fibrous- located near soil surface. Made up of

many tiny roots with short branches.

• Fibrous rooted plants - are the easiest type of plants to transplant.

• The many “tiny” roots all have root hairs (are the actual point of moisture absorption)

• Makes it easier for the plant to recover from root loss.

• Most monocots have fibrous root systems.

Types of Roots

• Tap Root- one main root, below the soil surface, several others branching out to the sides.

Types of Roots

• Aerial Roots- develop from the stem and project downward into the soil. Help to support a plant.

• Called 'aerial roots' because they begin above ground

• Found on corn, banyun, weeping fig, sugar cane

Examples of Aerial Roots

2

• Adventitious Tissue - not actually roots. Function to support plants onto other surfaces.

• Have the potential for becoming roots.• Generally develop from underneath leaves at

the nodes.