CHAPTER 7

} At the end of this course, the students are

expected to:
◦ Differentiate dicot and monocot roots
◦ Enumerate the external and Internal
structures of roots
◦ Be familiar with the different specialize
root
◦ Know the root types and modification
} External Structures of roots
} Internal Structures of roots
} Other root types and
modification
} Are cylindrical structures which are usually
located beneath the surface of the soil
through which materials move from the soil
to various part of the plant
} A. PRIMARY ROOT
◦ The first root formed which is
the extension of the embryonic
root or radicle which is the
growing tip of the hypocotyl
} B. SECONDARY ROOTS
◦ Roots arising from the primary
root
} C. TERTIARY ROOTS
◦ Roots arising from the secondary
roots whose branches are called
rootlets
} A. PRIMARY ROOT
◦ The first root formed which is
the extension of the embryonic
root or radicle which is the
growing tip of the hypocotyl
} B. SECONDARY ROOTS
◦ Roots arising from the primary
root
} C. TERTIARY ROOTS
◦ Roots arising from the secondary
roots whose branches are called
rootlets
} D. ADVENTITIOUS ROOTS
◦ Roots which arise from the
plant structures other than
roots

A. BRACE ROOT- arise from

the main TRUNK stem
B. PROP ROOT – arise from the
LATERAL BRANCHES of the main
stem.
Brace roots of corn which arise from
the main trunk or stem of Zea mays
} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DqsZbS
dbrk

} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAKp3O
YhcTY
} A. FIBROUS or DIFFUSE ROOT SYSTEM
◦ Consists of several main roots that branch to form a
dense mass of intermeshed lateral roots

• Produced After the death of radicle

• Source: Root primordia (at base of
radicle)
• Delicate and hair-like
• Absorption
• No prominent enlarged primary
root
• In monocot
} B. TAP ROOT SYSTEM
◦ Consists of one main stem which arises lateral roots

• derived from radicle

(embryonic root)
• Anchorage
• In dicot and gymnosperm
• Secondary growth
• Fleshy taproot –carrots,
beets, radish
• Lateral roots ( swollen) –
sweet potato, cassava
 } A. REGIONS OF THE ROOT FROM
THE TIP TO THE ROOT HAIR ZONE
1. Root Cap Region – a thimble-shaped
region that protects the growing tip of
the root
2. Meristematic or Embryonic Region –
contains the apical meristem where
the cells are actively dividing and
where the primary meristems are
formed: the protoderm, the ground
meristem and the procambium

Procambium
Ground meristem Root apical meristem
Protoderm
peripheral Root cap
columella
 A. REGIONS OF THE
Root hair zone &
region of maturation ROOT FROM THE TIP TO
THE ROOT HAIR ZONE

3. Region of Elongation or Region

Zone of of Cell Enlargement – cells
elongation increase in length which results
in the growth or increase in the
length of the roots
4. Region of Maturation or Region
of Cell Differentiation – cells
have already attained their final
structural characteristics
} A. REGIONS OF THE ROOT FROM
THE TIP TO THE ROOT HAIR
ZONE
4. Region of Maturation or Region
of Cell Differentiation
In dicots, this region is
subdivided into:
a. Root-hair zone
b. Zone of primary
permanent tissue – where all the
cells are derives from the apical
meristem
c. Zone of secondary
tissues – where tissues derives
from the cambia either replace or
are added to the primary tissue
} A. REGIONS OF THE ROOT
FROM THE TIP TO THE ROOT
HAIR ZONE
4. Region of Maturation or Region
of Cell Differentiation
In monocots, this region is
subdivided into:
a. Root-hair zone
b. Zone of primary
permanent tissue

There are no secondary tissues

present because monocots,
generally, do not have cambia
where secondary tissues are
derived.
B. CROSS SECTIONAL
REGIONS
1. Epidermis or Outer
Region/Dermal region –
usually a single layer of
cells derived from the
protoderm which
covers and protects the
inner root
 B. CROSS SECTIONAL REGIONS

2. Cortex or Middle
Region – the region
derived from the ground
meristem and composed
of the following zones:
outer collenchyma
middle parenchyma
Cross section of inner endodermis
Ranunculus root (Buttercup)
 B. CROSS SECTIONAL REGIONS

3. Stele or vascular cyclinder –

consists of the following:
1. pericycle – outermost layer
2. primary xylem – central large
cells
3. primary phloem (narrow cells
at tips of arms

Cross section of 4. vascular cambium

Ranunculus root (Buttercup)
 B
C
D
E

Cross section of young dicot root

Beside is the enlarged view of
Vascular cylinder or stele region.
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
1. Support
a. Brace roots – aerial roots arising from main
stem which penetrates the ground
- rubber tree, five fingers
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
1. Support
b. Prop roots –aerial roots arising from the branches
which penetrate the ground
corn, pandan
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
1. Support
c. Clinging roots –aerial roots arising from the
branches which penetrate the ground
-creeping ivy
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
2. Food storage
- enlarged, fleshy, or succulent roots
- radish, sweet potato, turnips, carrot
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED
FUNCTIONS
3. Photosynthesis
- green aerial roots
- orchids
} Amerorchis rotundifolia (Round-
leaved Orchid)
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
4. Protection-presence of spines

TUGUI
MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
5. Nitrogen fixation -formation of root
nodules containing bacteria in their cells
 MODIFIED OR SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS
6. Aeration-with PNEUMATOPHORES or
roots with spongy tissues protruding from the
surface of soil
mangrove (Rhizopora Spp ), Dendobium