Plant Anatomy: Roots and Root Systems
Types of Roots
Roots anchor a plant in the soil, absorb water and minerals, and store food.
Taproot
Taproots have one primary root from which secondary roots (rootlets) derive from.
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Elongated Taproot
Elongated taproots are fat because the plants store their nutrients in the primary root. A carrot is a good example of a elongated taproot.
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Fibrous Root
Fibrous roots do not have a single primary root. They have many roots the same size and width. Fibrous root systems hold topsoil in place and prevent soil erosion.
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Tuberoid Root
Tuberoid roots or tuberous roots are fattened fibrous roots that have the nutrients stored in the roots.
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Branched
Branched roots do not have a primary roots and they resemble the branches of a tree. Take a look at the way the branches of a tree look and imagine them flipped upside down and planted below ground. That is exactly how a branched root system would look.
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Other Types Of Roots
Adventitious Roots
Adventitious (Adven-ti-tious) roots are not developed from the radicle of the embryo and are used by some plants to spread along the surface or of the soil. They can grow from a piece of stem tissue that has been cut from the mother plant.
To help remember this word think of "adventure." I like to think of new cuttings going on a "mini-adventure" when being transplanted into a new location after they have grown new roots. |
Water Roots
Water roots are grown in the water and differ from soil-grown roots. Water roots are more fragile and brittle.
If you are transfering plants that have grown only in water into the soil, many of the roots will break off and the rest will shrivel once stronger roots begin to develop. |
Parasite Roots
Parasite roots suck the nutrients directly from another plant. A mistletoe is a prime example of a plant that sucks its energy directly from its host.
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Root Systems
Zone of Cell Division
The root cap is a section of tissue at the tip of a plant root. It is also called calyptra. Root caps contain gravity-perceiving cells (statocytes), located in the centre of the root cap, which are involved in gravity perception in plants. If the cap is carefully removed the root will grow randomly.
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Zone of Cell Elongation
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Zone of Cell Differentiation
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