Bio 1: Botany

Lesson 5. Roots
5.1. Parts and Function
5.2. Specialized roots
5.3. Economic value of
roots
INTRODUCTION
Essential questions This unit includes the concepts of plant anatomy and physiology
wherein Lesson 5 begins with the discussion of the parts and function
✓ What are the of roots as well as the specialized roots. This lesson will also highlight
different parts of the importance of roots to human.
plant roots and give
the function of each
part? Lesson 5. ROOTS
✓ What are the major
functions of the root
itself?
✓ What is the What do you know?
difference between
fibrous roots and
Directions: Provide the appropriate words/ ideas/ concepts in the blanks
taproots?
to complete the paragraph below.
✓ How can we describe
The __________ is a part of plant commonly hidden to us. It
each kind of
grows downward towards the gravity. The main functions are to
specialized roots?
_________ __________, gather water and nutrients, and store _________
that the plant makes.
It has three major external parts, __________ is the thickest. The
Intended Learning ___________ are not as thick and tend to grow side wards. The thinnest
Outcome part absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.
✓ Describe the
structure and give
the functions of the
Roots
parts of the plant
root. o Part of the plant axis which normally develops below the
✓ Differentiate fibrous surface of the soil.
root systems and o It generally grow downward, in the direction of gravity.
taproot systems.
✓ Name example of MAIN FUNCTIONS:
each kind of ➢ Anchorage- roots anchor plants surely in the soil. Roots
specialized roots. keep plants in one location and maintain a solid
foundation from which to grow.

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 Bio 1: Botany

➢ Absorption- roots absorb water and dissolve minerals

(inorganic nutrition), such as nitrates, sulfates, and
phosphates from the soil.
➢ Storage- surplus carbohydrates produced by the
leaves are transported in the phloem, as sugar or
starch, to the roots for storage until needed.

Types of Root System

*Radicle- embryonic root
1. Taproot system
➢ A root system consisting of one prominent
main root (formed from enlarged radicle)
with smaller lateral roots branching from it.
➢ Taproots are characteristics of many eudicots
and gymnosperms.
2. Fibrous root system
➢ Has several to many roots of the same size
that develop from the end of the stem, with
smaller lateral roots branching off these
roots.
➢ The roots originate initially from the
embryonic root and later from stem tissue.
➢ It is seen in plants in which embryonic root is
short-lived.
*Adventitious root system: the roots which grow Figure 5.2 Types of Root System
from aby part of the plant other than the radicle. They (a) Taproot system; (b) Fibrouis root system;
may develop from the base of stems, nodes, Adventitious root
internodes, and, in some cases, from leaves.
© https://images.app.goo.gl/y8n6q61ShVz6tBxd9
https://images.app.goo.gl/cex3yABTc2e8c54b9

Engage yourself!
What are the differences of fibrous root and taproot system? Give specific plant examples
for each root systems.

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 Bio 1: Botany

5.1 PARTS AND FUNCTIONS

EXTERNAL PARTS
1. Primary Root- the first root that comes out from a germinating
seed. It is called radicle.
2. Secondary Root- roots arising from the primary root.
3. Tertiary Roots- rots arising from the secondary roots.

Figure 5.3 External Parts of Roots

© https://images.app.goo.gl/Df748x1mgntxKuNP7

INTERNAL PARTS
In a cross-section of a young dicot root, the following regions are present:

1. Epidermal region- the outermost layer of Figure 5.4 Cross-sectiom of Monocot and Dicot root
cells which is only one cell thick. Most of the
cells here have extensions and form root © https://images.app.goo.gl/WBffVhdX6DLF1RFD9
hairs.
2. Cortex region- consists of many layers of thin-walled parenchyma cells with intercellular
spaces. The cortex functions primarily for food storage.
3. Endodermis- the innermost layer of the cortex, consisting of a single layer of barrel-shaped
cells that are closely packed and having no intercellular spaces.

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 Bio 1: Botany

4. Stele or Vascular cylinder- occupies the

central portion of the root and consists of
the pericycle and vascular tissues. The
pericycle lies internal to the endodermis
and generally consists of a single layer of
thin-walled parenchyma cells. The
pericycle in its inner surface is directly in
contact with the xylem and phloem
strands.

The stele is composed of:

a. Pericycle- has a structure like that of a

Figure 5.5 Cross-sectiom of a Young Dicot root
young dicot root’ s
b. Xylem- polyarchy and has a center © Mandevile High School
occupied by parenchyma and not by https://images.app.goo.gl/hF82PGyDLrZVUbod8
tracheary elements.
c. Phloem- occupies the spaces between the radial arms of the xylem.
d. Pith- composed of parenchymatous cells found at the center.

DIFFERENCE OF MONOCOT AND DICOT ROOT

MONOCOT ROOT DICOT ROOT
Protoxylem groups is generally more than ten Protoxylem groups varies from two to five (they
(polyarchs) can be diarchs, triarchs, tetrarchs or pentarchs)
Parenchymatous pith is found at the center Generally, no pit, metaxylem occupies the
center of the root
Exhibit siphonostele Have protostele
Three Regions in Young Roots

1. The Region of Cell division or Meristematic

Region
➢ Growing apex of the root
➢ Root cap-
loosely-arranged
parenchymatous
cell that covers
and protects the
tip of the root;
thimble-shaped

Figure 5.7 Root Cap and

Root Hairs
© https://images.app.goo.gl/Z1
V6ujgry67ex45Z7

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2. The Region of Elongation
3. The Region of Maturation
Figure 5.6 Longitudinal sectiom of a Dicot root
© https://images.app.goo.gl/Hr5Bq53MAg7gnh6a9
https://images.app.goo.gl/YuzYcnRkSjJ6oXs27
5.2 SPECIALIZED ROOTS
Food storage
➢ Enlarged roots with large quantities of starch
and carbohydrates
Gas Exchange
➢ Presence of pneumatophores, especially in
mangrove plants.
Water storage-fascicled roots
➢ Enlarged fleshy and succulent roots
Reproduction/ propagation
➢ Formation of adventitious root buds
Bio 1: Botany
➢ Cells in this region are small, cube-shaped,
thin-walled and have large centrally located
nuclei.
➢ Cells are actively dividing
➢ Found above the meristematic region
➢ Elongate several times their original length
and push the root tip through the soil
➢ Responsible for the increase in the length of
the root
➢ Lies above the region of elongation and
extends upward
➢ Elongated cells
➢ Also called the region of differentiation or
root hair zone
➢ Responsible for the increase in length of the
root into various distinctive cell types
➢ Presence of numerous root hairs that increase
the absorptive area of the cell
➢ Cells in this region are already mature and
perform specific functions like protective
covering, transport, and support, among
others.
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 Bio 1: Botany

Protection

➢ Presence of spines and thorns

Photosynthesis

➢ Green aerial roots

Support

a. Prop or stilt roots- aerial roots arising from branches

b. Buttress Roots- big roots that look like they
arise from the base of the trunk

c. Brace Roots- aerial roots arising from the

main stem that penetrates the ground

d. Clinging Roots- aerial roots that cling to

support

BOOK/S
REFERENCES
Evangelista, E. & Evangelista, L. (2009). Work text in General Botany. South Triangle, Quezon City: C &
E Publishing, Inc.

Berg, L. (2008). Introductory Botany: Plants, People, and the Environment (Second Edition). Belmont, CA:
Thomson Brooks/ Cole.

ONLINE LINK/S

https://www.noble.org/news/publications/ag-news-and-views/2018/june/why-roots-matter-to-soil-
plants-and-you/

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