Roots

• What are the parts and functions of roots that students should identify?

  Students should identify the parts and functions of roots.
• What should students distinguish regarding roots?

  Students should distinguish the forms and modifications of roots.
• What economic, environmental, and medicinal uses should students identify about roots?


  Students should identify and impart the economic, environmental, and medicinal uses of roots.
• What are the main functions of vegetative organs in plants?

  • Help plants make and use food
  • Obtain water and minerals
  • Store resources like food and water
• What are the two main types of plants based on their root structure?

  Monocots (Herbaceous) and Dicots (Woody)
• What are the main functions of roots?

  • Absorption
  • Anchorage
  • Conduction
  • Reproduction
  • Food storage
  • Photosynthesis
• What are the characteristics of roots?

  • Cylindrical in form
  • Colorless or with drab colors
  • Lack nodes and internodes
  • Lack buds, leaves, and flowers
  • Generally branching
• What are the types of root systems?

  1. Diffuse or Fibrous Roots
  2. Taproot or Primary Root System
  3. Fleshy Root System
  4. Fascicled Root System
  5. Adventitious Roots
• What distinguishes a Taproot or Primary Root System?

  It has a primary or main root that penetrates deep into the soil.
• What is a Fleshy Root System?

  It is a taproot system where the main root has considerably enlarged in size.
• What are Adventitious Roots?

  Roots that arise from anything other than the radicle.
• What are the regions of external anatomy in roots?

  1. Root cap
  2. Region of Cell Division (Meristematic region)
  3. Region of Elongation
  4. Region of Differentiation (Maturation)
• What is the function of the root cap?

  It protects the root from injury.
• What occurs in the Region of Cell Division?

  New cells are formed via mitosis.
• What is the Quiescent Center in the Region of Cell Division?

  It is a group of cells where no cell division takes place, serving as a cellular reserve.
• What happens in the Region of Elongation?

  • Cells increase in length (up to 10x)
  • Cells are mature and columnar in shape
  • Embryonic tissues are formed
• What are the embryonic/generative tissues produced in the Region of Elongation?


  1. Protoderm: produces the epidermis
  2. Ground meristem: produces the cortex and pericycle
  3. Procambium: produces vascular tissues and pith
• What occurs in the Region of Maturation or Differentiation?

  Cells differentiate into specific vascular tissues like xylem and phloem.
• What is the root hair zone?

  It is the youngest part of the Region of Maturation where root hairs develop.
• What are the three main parts of the internal anatomy of the root?

  1. Epidermis
  2. Cortex
  3. Stele
• What is the function of the epidermis in the root?

  It absorbs water and dissolved material from the soil.
• What are the layers of the cortex in the root?

  1. Hypodermis
  2. Parenchyma cells
  3. Endodermis
• What is the function of the Casparian strip in the endodermis?


  It prevents the outward passage of water.
• What are the components of the stele in the root?

  1. Pericycle
  2. Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem)
  3. Parenchymatous pith
• What is the process of root absorption of water?

  1. Water enters through the epidermis via osmosis.
  2. It passes through cortical cells to the endodermis.
  3. The Casparian strip ensures water is absorbed by cells before entering the stele.
  4. Water moves into the xylem and up into the stem.
• How are minerals absorbed by roots?

  Minerals are absorbed by active transport to maintain hypertonicity in root cells.
• What are the two pathways for water conduction in roots?

  1. Apoplastic pathway
  2. Symplastic pathway
• What factors control the growth and distribution of roots?

  1. Temperature
  2. Organisms in soil
  3. Light
  4. Gravity
  5. Genetic differences
  6. Stage of plant development
  7. Soil properties
  8. Other factors
• What are modified roots?

  • Roots that perform functions other than the usual functions of roots
  • Examples include fleshy/storage roots, adventitious roots, and parasitic roots
• What are examples of fleshy/storage roots?

  • Beets
  • Turnips
  • Radish
  • Carrots
  • Cassava
  • Dandelion
• What are Prop/Brace roots?

  • Roots that provide strong anchorage
  • Examples include corn, balete, and pandan
• What are Aerial roots?


  • Roots entirely above the ground
  • Can be climbing, photosynthetic, velamen, or floating
  • Examples include cherry, pear, and climbing ivy
• What are Pneumatophores?

  • Knee-shaped roots with aerenchyma cells
  • Function to aerate roots for gas exchange
  • Example: Mangroves
• What are Aquatic roots?

  • Have hairy/feathery lateral roots for buoyancy
  • Example: Water hyacinth
• What are Photosynthetic roots?

  • Green in color and contain chloroplasts
  • Function for the manufacture of food
  • Example: Orchids
• What are Contractile roots?

  • Pull bulbs or corms deeper into the soil
  • Have a wrinkled surface
  • Examples: Onion, garlic, lily, ginseng, gladiolus
• What are Buttress roots?

  • Plank-like roots for support
  • Usually occur in shallow-rooted plants
  • Examples: Kapok tree, fig tree
• What are Haustorial/Parasitic roots?

  • Roots of parasitic plants that absorb water and nutrients from another plant
  • Examples: Mistletoe and dodder
• What are Mycorrhizal roots?

  • Symbiotic relationship between a plant and a fungus
  • Provides protection against pathogens and increases nutrient absorption
  • Example: Pine, oak, orchids
• What are the economic importance of roots?

  • Food
  • Ornaments
  • Industry
  • Drugs/medicines