Exercise 4. The Root Two Main Organ System of Plants: Shoot System above the ground (eg.

eg. stems and leaves) Root System below the ground/ subterranean (eg. roots)

Root originates from the radicle of a seed - Functions: anchorage and absorption of water and nutrients from the soil Monocot VS Dicot Root Monocot Fibrous root system Short-lived primary root replaced by numerous long and slender roots hairs (lateral roots) Wiry roots exhibited by monocots eg. C. nucifera having large and thick roots Dicot Tap root system Well-developed primary root giving rise to lateral roots

Adventitious roots roots not originated from the radicle (eg. Kalanchoe pinnata (kataka-taka) roots arising from its leaves) Metamorphosed roots roots having specialized function Plant species Common Name Ribbon grass Singkamas Kamote Cassava Balite Bakawan Orchid Corn Metamorphosed Feature Fleshy/enlarged roots Fleshy/enlarged roots Fleshy/enlarged roots Fleshy/enlarged roots Aerial roots Pneumatophores Green roots Prop/brace roots Specialized Function Storage of water Storage of water Storage of starch Storage of starch Additional support Gas exchange Photosynthesis Additional support

Chlorophytum elatum Pachyrhizus erosus Ipomea batatas Manihot esculenta Ficus benjamina Avicennia sp. Taeniophyllum sp. Zea mays Anatomy:

Primary Growth growth in length/height - Contributed by apical meristems regions of active cell division (shoot and root tips) 3 Zones/Regions of Root tip: a) Zone of cell division cells are actively dividing Primary meristems: a. protoderm b. ground meristem c. procambium b. Zone of cell elongation cells are elongating c. Zone of cell maturation/differentiation Differentiation process by which a cell, tissue or an organ changes structurally and functionally in the course of development

Primary tissues: a. epidermis composed of parenchyma cells - gives protection b. cortex composed of parenchymatous cells - storage and metabolic processes c. primary vascular tissues composed of sclerenchyma cells 1. primary xylem: transport of water Metaxylem younger and larger xylem Protoxylem older and smaller xylem 2. primary phloem: transport of food or photosynthates pith composed of parenchyma cells - storage and metabolic processes

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protoderm procambium
ground meristem

quiescent center root cap

Root hairs increase surface area for water and nutrients absorption Root cap protects the root apical meristem - Produces slimy polysaccharides that serve as lubrication for soil penetration - Contains sensor of gravity for gravitropism Quiescent center slowly dividing cells - Acts as reserve cells to replace the apical meristem once got damaged Stele composed of the pericycle, vascular tissues and pith Endodermis contains casparian strip that ensures that water will pass through the cell membrane during water uptake - Casparian strip also prevents back flow of water

Two types of water transport: a. apoplast water transport via cell wall b. symplast water transport from cell to cell via plasmodesmata Pericycle comprised of parenchyma cells that give rise to lateral/root hairs Comparison of Monocot and Dicot Root Cross-section Criteria Endodermis Type of xylem maturation # of xylem ridges Vascular tissue arrangement Type of stele Dicot Not prominent Exarch 4 (tetrarch) Alternate/radial Protostele (absence of pith) Monocot Prominent Exarch Many (polyarch) Alternate/radial Siphonostele (presence of stele)

cortex

Dicot root

endodermis
protoxylem epidermis metaxylem phloem hypodermis
pith

pericycle

cortex

Monocot Root