Revision Notes

Class – 4 Environmental Studies

Chapter 19 – Abdul in the Garden

Summary of Abdul in the Garden

 This chapter will help us to understand the different types of plants and role
of roots in a plant.
 The part of a plant that connects it to the ground or to a support, usually
underground, and transports water and nutrients to the rest of the plant through
numerous branches and fibers is known as the roots of a plant.

Root has the following functions

 The plant's connection to the soil

 Water and nutrient absorption from the soil
 Water and nutrients are absorbed and transported to the stem.
 Vegetative reproduction and competition with other plants.
 Food storage.

Image: Roots
 There are two main kinds of roots: taproots and fibrous roots.

Taproots

 When one main root grows straight down deep into the soil, it is called a
taproot.

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  It has a very small number of lateral roots that develop and grow from the
main root.
 The taproot is a secondary root that differs from the primary root.
 During seed development, the primary root is formed from the seedling's
radicle.
 Taproots are found in dicotyledons and gymnosperms.

Image: Taproot
 Examples: Beetroot, Burdock, Carrot, Sugar bee, Dandelion, Parsley, Parsnip,
Poppy mallow.

Image: Examples of the taproot

Fibrous Roots

 The opposite of a taproot system is a fibrous root system.

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  It is usually formed by the stem's thin, moderately branching roots.
 Monocotyledonous plants and ferns all have a fibrous root system.
 When the tree has reached full maturity, the fibrous root systems resemble a
root mat.

Image: Fibrous Root System

 Examples: Rice, wheat, maize, marigold, and banana.

Image: Examples of fibrous root system

Vegetables that have roots

1. Beets.
2. Parsnips.
3. Turnips.
4. Rutabagas.
5. Carrots.
6. Jicama.
7. Maca.

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Image: Vegetable that have roots

Unusual Roots

 In a Banyan Tree, the tree's roots can be seen hanging from the branches.
 These sprout from the branches and descend to the ground.
 These roots act as pillars, providing the tree with strong support.
 The banyan tree, like all other trees, has roots in the ground.

Image: Banyan tree

Practice Questions

Q 1. Fill in the blanks by selecting the correct word from those given in
brackets.
1. The ............... (potato/carrot) can also be eaten raw.
Ans: Carrot
2. A vegetable with ............... (rough/smooth) surface is a root.
Ans: Rough

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 3. The ............... (neem/banyan) tree has hanging roots.
Ans: Banyan
4. The ............... (cotton/desert oak) tree has very long roots.
Ans: Desert Oak

Q 2. How does a desert oak tree get water for its roots?
Ans: The long roots of desert oak trees provide water. Explanation: Oak trees, like
most desert trees, have adapted to the dry environment.

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