roots

Question 1

What is the importance of roots in plants?

Answer 1

Roots provide stability and anchorage, ensuring plants remain stable and upright. They also play a crucial role in growth and development by absorbing nutrients and water.

Question 2

What unique growth examples demonstrate root stability?

Answer 2

Roots can grow over obstacles like decomposing tree trunks and can hold trees above the ground after a fallen tree decomposes.

Question 3

How do roots contribute to plant growth?

Answer 3

Roots absorb nutrients and water, which are essential for shoot growth. A higher surface-to-volume ratio increases absorption efficiency.

Question 4

What are the different types of roots?

Answer 4

Types of roots include taproots and fibrous roots, which cater to various functions and adaptations.

Question 5

What are the main functions of roots?

Answer 5

Roots provide anchorage and support, store carbohydrates, aid in reproduction, and offer protection and competition.

Question 6

What is an example of carbohydrate storage in roots?

Answer 6

Fleshy taproots store energy during winter.

Examples include carrots, radishes, and beets.

Question 7

What is the taproot system?

Answer 7

The taproot system originates from the radicle in seeds, forming a large primary root with lateral branches.

Examples include carrots, cassava, and sweet potatoes.

Question 8

What is the fibrous root system?

Answer 8

The fibrous root system is composed of many similarly sized roots and increases absorption and transport efficiency.

An example is Gladiolus.

Question 9

What is the role of the root cap?

Answer 9

The root cap protects the delicate meristematic tissue as the root pushes through the soil.

Question 10

What are the zones of growth in roots?

Answer 10

The zones include the root cap, zone of elongation, and zone of maturation.

Question 11

What is the function of root hairs?

Answer 11

Root hairs increase the surface area for absorption of water and nutrients.

Question 12

What is the endodermis?

Answer 12

The endodermis is the innermost layer of the cortex, regulating the flow of water and dissolved substances into the vascular cylinder.

Question 13

What is the Casparian strip?

Answer 13

The Casparian strip is composed of lignin and suberin in the endodermal cells, blocking apoplastic transport of water and solutes.

Question 14

What is the difference between the symplast and apoplast pathways?

Answer 14

The symplast pathway involves interconnected cytoplasm of cells, while the apoplast pathway allows free movement through cell walls.

Question 15

What is the vascular system of plants responsible for?

Answer 15

The vascular system transports water, minerals, and sugars throughout the plant.

Question 16

What distinguishes eudicot vascular systems from monocot vascular systems?

Answer 16

Eudicot vascular tissue forms a ring structure, while monocots have scattered vascular bundles.

Question 17

What are storage roots?

Answer 17

Storage roots in some plants store nutrients during favorable seasons, ensuring survival through dormancy.

Question 18

What are prop roots?

Answer 18

Prop roots are adventitious roots that provide extra support, commonly seen in monocots like corn and eudicots like banyan trees.

Question 19

What are pneumatophores?

Answer 19

Pneumatophores are specialized aerial roots that facilitate gas exchange in waterlogged environments.

Question 20

What are aerial roots?

Answer 20

Aerial roots are found in orchids and are covered with velamen for water retention.

Question 21

What are contractile roots?

Answer 21

Contractile roots help anchor the plant and are found in bulbs and corms.

Question 22

What are pneumatophores?

Answer 22

Specialized aerial roots produced by some plants in waterlogged environments, facilitating gas exchange for submerged roots.

Example: White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa).

Question 23

What are aerial roots?

Answer 23

Roots found in orchids, covered with velamen for water retention.

Question 24

What are contractile roots?

Answer 24

Roots found in bulbs and corms that help anchor the plant and adjust its depth in the soil.

Example: Hyacinths, bulbs.

Question 25

What are mycorrhizae?

Answer 25

Mutualistic associations between plant roots and fungi that enhance nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus.

Question 26

What are the two types of mycorrhizal relationships?

Answer 26

Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae.

Question 27

What is ectomycorrhizae?

Answer 27

Fungal hyphae that penetrate the outermost root cortex but do not enter the plant cells.

Question 28

What is endomycorrhizae?

Answer 28

Fungal hyphae that penetrate the root cortex and cell walls, forming structures called arbuscules inside the plant cells.

Question 29

What are root nodules?

Answer 29

Specialized structures formed by the division of root cortex cells that house nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Question 30

What is the role of Rhizobium in root nodules?

Answer 30

Converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is essential for plant growth.

Question 31

What are haustorial roots?

Answer 31

Parasitic roots that penetrate host vascular tissue to extract nutrients.

Question 32

What do haustorial roots do?

Answer 32

Invade the host plant’s tissues, forming a continuous vascular connection to extract nutrients.