MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF FLOWERING PLANTS Primary Root Anatomy

Morphology Epidermis
- physical form and external structure of plants - derived from protoderm, single layer of cells
Anatomy that forms the outermost root tissue
- study of the internal plant structure, mostly at Root Hairs
the cellular/ microscopic level. - absorbing outgrowth of the epidermal cells
Morphology of Flowering Plants - lateral, absorb nutrients & water which are sent
Roots through the tip of the plants root
- absorbing & anchoring organ, developed from Cortex
radicle & grows downward - Derived from ground meristem, Parenchyma
- can spread beyond canopy or drip line Cells
Type of Root System - Lies between epidermis & vascular cylinder at
Tap Roots the center of root
- dicot, grow & becomes stout, secondary and - Develop air canals that increase oxygen
tertiary roots grow from primary root availability
Fibrous Roots - Carbohydrate Storage
- monocot, develop from lower nodes, have same Exodermis – located at the outer edge of the cortex
length & diameter Endodermis – single layer defining the interior edge
General Parts of a Root of cortex
Radicle Casparian band - deposition of suberin in the
- first organ to emerge from seed primary cell wall and middle lamella of each
- develops into primary root adjoining endodermal cell
Lateral Roots Vascular Cylinder
- roots that branch out from primary root - Develops from procambium
Root Apical Meristem Primary Xylem - finger-like projections (center of
- found at the tip of the root, where new cells root toward pericycle)
develop Phloem - bundles occur between xylem projections
Root Cap Protoxylem – smallest xylem conduits; occur at the
- also called “calyptra” tips of the projections
- protects growing root tip, covers root apical
meristem
- contains statocytes (involved in gravity
perception in plants)
Root Tip Regions
Root cap - Protect the apical meristem, Perception
of gravity
Apical Meristem - Cell division, Production of new
cells Lateral Roots
Elongation - Pushes meristem and root cap through - Found in gymnosperms, arise from root
ground primordia
Maturation - Development of protoderm, - When root primordium elongates, it passes
procambium, and ground tissue through cortex & epidermis
- Provides pathway for flow of water in & out of
vascular cylinder
Adventitious Roots
- Arise from stem nodes
- “roots with unusual functions”
- Functions as anchorage, absorption,
conduction, or storage
Secondary Growth Arise from branches, grow downwards, provide
- Increase in girth/ thickness support to heavy branches (ex. Banyan trees)
- Occurs in gymnosperms & dicots b. Stilt Roots
Lateral Weak stems, root arise from stems, grows
1. Vascular Cambium (initiates secondary growth) downwards to soil (ex. Pandanus tectorius)
2. Phellogen/Cork Cambium – merismatic tissue c. Climber Roots
that produces periderm Produce roots from nodes, attach to any
Periderm - a protective tissue of secondary origin support (ex. Black pepper)
that replaces the epidermal cell layer when the 3. For Specialized Functions
latter is damaged. a. Epiphytic Roots
Grow on branches to reach for sunlight, have
velamen tissue inside that absorb moisture
from air (ex. Epiphytic Orchids)
b. Sucking Roots/ Haustorial Roots
Parasite/ attach to host to feed,
1. Partial parasitism (penetrate xylem)
2. Whole parasitism (penetrate xylem &
phloem)
Cambial Cells – give rise to secondary xylem & Types of Adventitious Roots
phloem cells 1. Buttress Roots
Major Functions of the Root Swollen bases that hold tress upright & aid
1. Provides anchorage to plant parts extension distribution of roots
2. Absorb, transport water & dissolved minerals to 2. Pneumatophores
other plant parts Aerial “breathing” roots, assist in getting oxygen
3. Food storage to submerged roots
Modification of Tap Root: 3. Aerial Roots
1. For Storage of Food Anchor plant to bark which it grows, serve as
a. Fusiform root photosynthetic roots, absorb moisture.
Swollen middle part, tapers towards base 4. Contractile Roots
(Radish) Grow into soil then contract (cortical cells
b. Conical root shorten or collapse), commo in monocots
Broader at base, gradually tapers apex (Carrot) Root Associations with Other Species
c. Napiform root Mycorrhizae – permit transfer of materials from roots
Swollen, spherical, abruptly taper around apex to fungus
(Beet) Types of Mycorrhizae
2. For Respiration a. Ectomycorrhizae
a. Halophytes Fungamycelium (nonreproductive body)
Plants growing in marshy, swampy, salt lakes encircles the root like a sheath
Modification of Adventitious Root: b. Endomucorrhizae
1. For Storage of Food fungus penetrates root cells.
a. Simple Tuberous Roots Rhizobia - Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form
No definite roots, arise from stem & dig into soil associations with the roots of leguminous plants- clover,
(ex. Sweet Potato) peas, and soybeans
b. Fasciculated Tuberous Roots
Cluster of roots become fleshy, found at base of
stem (Dahlia)
2. For Mechanical
a. Prop Roots
STEM
- Aerial part, supports & conducting organ
- Either herbaceous (soft, nonwoody tissues) or
woody (hard tissues of wood and bark)

Plants Undergo Two Types Of Growth

1. Primary Growth
Increase in length, occurs in apical meristems,
observed in herbaceous & woody
2. Secondary Growth
Increase in girth (circumference), observed in
woodyplant
General Structure of a Stem