Plant system

• Root system


  Responsible for anchoring the plant in the soil and for absorbing water and minerals needed by the plant to survive
• Root systems


  • Keep plants alive by expanding into new areas of the soil in order to access new sources of water and minerals
• Types of root systems


  • Taproot
  • Fibrous
  • Adventitious
• Taproot


  Main taproot that is larger and grows faster than the branch roots
• Fibrous


  All roots about the same size
• Adventitious


  Roots that form on any plant part other than the roots
• Primary tissues of the root


  • Epidermis
  • Cortex
  • Vascular cylinder
• Cortex


  Conducts water and dissolved minerals across the root from the epidermis to the vascular cylinder, and stores food transported downward from the leaves
• Endodermis


  Innermost layer of the cortex that regulates the flow of materials between the cortex and the vascular tissues
• Plant organ systems


  • Shoot system
  • Root system
• Shoot system


  • Vegetative (non-reproductive) parts
  • Reproductive parts
• Adventitious roots are a unique category of roots that develop from sources other than the radicle, and are modified for various purposes such as respiration, support and food storage
• The absorption of water and dissolved minerals occurs through the epidermis
• The endodermis regulates the flow of materials between the cortex and the vascular tissues
• The primary tissues of the root are, from outermost to innermost, the epidermis, the cortex, and the vascular cylinder
• Roots are often found below the surface of the soil, absorb water and nutrients, anchor the plant in place, and store food and nutrients for the plant's growth