Roots

Question 1

What is the tap root also called?

Answer 1

It is also called the primary root

Question 2

What do tap roots consist of?

Answer 2

They consist of a main root that develops from the radicle

Question 3

What is a radicle?

Answer 3

The initial root that emerged from the seed

Question 4

Where do lateral or secondary roots emerge from?

Answer 4

They emerge from the primary root

Question 5

What do the tips of the lateral roots have?

Answer 5

They have tiny, invisible root hairs

Question 6

In what types of plants are tap roots present? Give examples

Answer 6

Tap roots are present in most dicotyledons (dicots), e.g. dandelion, wallflower and ash

Question 7

Name the three types of roots

Answer 7

Tap roots, fibrous roots, adventitious roots

Question 8

When do fibrous roots form?

Answer 8

They form when the radicle dies away to leave a group of equal-sized roots. These roots emerge from the base of the stem.

Question 9

In what type of plants are fibrous roots most common? Give examples

Answer 9

In monocotyledons (monocots), e.g. grasses and daffodils

Question 10

How are adventitious roots different from tap roots?

Answer 10

Adventitious roots are roots that do not develop from the radicle.

Question 11

Give examples of adventitious roots

Answer 11

Examples include fibrous roots, the roots at the base of an onion and the gripping roots of ivy.

Question 12

List the four functions of roots

Answer 12

1. Anchor the plant in the soil.
2. Absorb water and mineral salts from the soil.
3. Transport absorbed materials to the shoots.
4. Store food in some plants, e.g. carrots, turnips, radish

Question 13

What part of a plant absorbs water and mineral salts from the soil?

Answer 13

the root hairs carry out this function

Question 14

List the four zones in a root in order

Answer 14

1. Zone of protection
2. Zones of cell production/meristematic zone
3. Zone of elongation
4. Zone of differentiation

Question 15

Explain the zone of protection

Answer 15

The root cap protects the root cells as they push through the soil.

Question 16

Explain the zone of cell production

Answer 16

zone of cell production/meristematic zone:

Meristems allow plants to grow.

Question 17

Where are apical meristems found?

Answer 17

Apical meristems are found in the root tip and in the shoot tip.

Question 18

Where can other meristems (discluding apical meristems) be found?

Answer 18

Other meristems are found around the edge of some plant stems and in leaves and fruits.

Question 19

What is happening to cells in the root meristem constantly?

Answer 19

Cells in the root meristem are constantly dividing by mitosis to produce new cells for root growth.

Question 20

Define a meristem

Answer 20

A meristem is a plant tissue capable of mitosis

Question 21

What can the second zone in a root be called other than the zone of cell production?

Answer 21

the meristematic zone

Question 22

Explain the zone of elongation

Answer 22

When new cells are formed by the meristem they are very small.
In the zone of elongation, plant growth regulators (such as auxins) stimulate the cells to grow longer.

Question 23

Give one example of a plant growth regulator?

Answer 23

auxins

Question 24

Explain the zone of differentiation

Answer 24

In this region, the elongated cells, which are all similar or undifferentiated, develop into different types of tissues, e.g. dermal tissue, vascular tissue, ground tissue

Question 25

Give an example of dermal tissue and where it can be found

Answer 25

Epidermis which surrounds and protects the plant

Question 26

Give examples of vascular tissue and what it does

Answer 26

Xylem and phloem: which transports materials

Question 27

Give an example of where ground tissue can be found in a plant

Answer 27

It is found between the dermal and vascular tissues

Question 28

What do herbaceous plants not contain that woody plants do?

Answer 28

Herbaceous plants do not contain wood (or lignin)